Possible delay in holding general elections in country is tantamount to crushing the Constitution under the feet: Ameerul Azim

ISLAMABAD, Aug 28 (SABAH): Secretary General Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Ameerul Azim has said that possible delay in holding general elections in the country is tantamount to crushing the Constitution under the feet.

Ameerul Azim expressed these views while addressing a presser after holding meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Dr. Sikandar Sultan Raja and Election Commission of Pakistan’s members along with the Jamaat-e-Islami’s delegation at Islamabad on Monday. Ameerul Azim further stressed upon the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to prove its independence in undertaking its duties.

Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan’s in-charge of Electoral Cell Dr, Farid Ahmad Piracha demanded that the way of political parties which are consuming billions and trillions of rupees for hijacking the elections should be stopped and added the Commission should also use its own powers for ensuring the transparency of electoral process. Other leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami including Professor Muhammad Ibrahim Khan and Mian Muhammad Aslam were also present on the occasion.

Dr. Farid Ahmad Piracha stressed upon the ECP to demonstrate dare in undertaking its duties and added it should use its powers in discharging its assignments. He said the ECP should not wait for the complaints in the electoral process but it should take pre-emptive measures.

Ameerul Azim said that firstly they conveyed their concerns to the ECP that it should have not ended the period of 90 days and they condemned this decision of the Commission. “We demanded of the ECP that elections should be held within 90 days at all costs. Along with taking risk of constituencies, ECP should have announced the date of elections. It was the second big mistake committed by the Commission,” he added.

Secretary General Jamaat-e-Islami further said that they had written letters during the governments of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) that timely census should be ensured. To a question, he replied that the ECP would hold other consultative meeting for implementing the code of conduct. He added the ECP should demonstrate dare, saying future will decide that how it manages such affairs of its independence and sovereignty.