Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry while hearing
the petition of PTI Chief Imran Khan against the entry of fake votes in
voters lists, has said that the Election Commission should ensure
averting double entry of voters as no deviation is possible from the
constitution.
Chief justice in his remarks said that the court would not validate
the extra constitutional steps, adding that when it has been decided
that every thing would be done by following the constitution than no
step should be taken by violating the constitution.
Three member bench of the apex court headed by the Chief Justice
Muhammad Iftikhar Chaudhry and comprising Justice Tassaduq Hussain
Jeelani and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain heard the petition.
Chief justice said that the non-removal of fake voters would express
that we all are part of the sin, adding that the election commission in
steps should make voter lists transparent, adding that no relief would
be given to wrong doers.
During the hearing the council of the petitioner Hamid Khan Advocate
in his arguments said that after the passage of the 18th constitution
for one year the election was not complete and all the steps during
this period are illegal.
He further argued that the 30 million fake voters have been
registered; adding that the election commission has not taken any step
for the removal of the fake votes and no progress has been made in this
regard yet.
Chief justice in his remarks said that this was also accepted that
the bye-elections, which were held during this period were illegal.
Attorney General of Pakistan Justice (retd) Maulvi Anwarul Haq
informed the court that the EC has struck a deal with NADRA for the
preparation of the new voter lists, adding that it is written in the
article 224 of the constitution that the bye-elections would be held
within the 60 days after the vacation of seat that is why the elections
were held.
Hamid Khan argued that there should be the picture of voter on the
voter list; upon which chief justice in his remarks said that being the
Muslims many women wear veil and do not want to be appeared on the
votes list that is why there should be finger prints of the these women
on the voter lists.
Chief justice said that it is the responsibility of the chief
election commissioner to prepare transparent voter lists, adding that
the responsibility of the entry of fake voters also lies upon the
election commissioner.
Chief justice suggested that the for chalking out the future
strategy the meeting of the election might be called, adding that if
the voter lists would be transparent then there would be no protests on
roads after the elections and no finger would be pointed at the
election commission.
Chief justice said that we are also sophisticated people and in
Pakistan there should be transparent like European countries and where
ever the voter is present he could caste his vote, adding that the
election commission has no interest in this case.
Attorney general said that know the implementation of the
constitution would be ensured; upon which Justice Khilji Arif Hussain
asked from attorney general that weather it has been ensured that all
the votes of persons who have no ID cards have been removed from the
voter lists.
Meanwhile the apex court summoned the secretary election commission
of Pakistan and chairman NADRA in the court and Secretary Election
Commission Ishtiaq Ahmad informed the court that door to door campaign
is being launched from 16th of this month for verification of the
voters’ lists.
Secretary election commission submitted that the verification of
voters will be completed by 16th December after which it will be
published for information of general public. He told the court that 37
million invalid voters have been removed from the electorate lists
while 36 million new eligible voters have been added in it.
The Secretary Election Commission said that it has been decided in
principle to introduce electronic voting in future. Later the court
adjourned hearing of the case for an indefinite period. SANA
