Sirajul Haq expresses deep concern about disrespect for public mandate in elections

ISLAMABAD, Feb 26 (SABAH): Jamaat-e-Islami Emir Sirajul Haq has expressed deep concern about the disrespect for the public mandate in elections, warning of potential dangers if corrective measures aren’t taken to uphold people’s decisions. 

Speaking at a “Save the Democracy” national dialogue conference here on Monday, he highlighted instances of election rigging persisting for 76 years after independence.

During the conference, Jamaat-e-Islami Naib Emir Liaqat Baloch, Dr Farid Paracha, Mian Aslam, Senator Mushahid Hussain, Barrister Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, Shoaib Shaheed Advocate, PILDAT president Ahmed Bilal Mehmoob, representatives from civil society, election observers, lawyers, and leaders from political parties gathered to call for a transparent investigation into election rigging. They emphasized the need for unity among political parties and civil society to safeguard democracy.

Sirajul Haq demanded the resignation of the chief election commissioner and advocated for the formation of a judicial commission comprising political party representatives to audit elections. Asserting that Jamaat-e-Islami’s mandate was stolen, he pledged to collaborate with all affected parties. He also called for a charter of democracy and national dialogue to preserve democracy, emphasizing proportional representation as a means to strengthen it.

Warning against the consequences of mocking public votes, he stressed that the country’s institutions should remain apolitical for its strength. He cautioned that public sentiments, particularly in Balochistan, could lead to dangerous unrest if the sanctity of votes is not protected. The nation, he said, was calling for compiling results as per the Form 45. Criticizing the election process, he questioned its value if the public mandate continues to be disregarded, pointing to fraud and result changes on February 8.

He criticized the lack of internal democracy in political parties and questioned their commitment to democracy when controlled by dynasties. He urged workers from all parties to join the Jamaat-e-Islami’s struggle for democracy, highlighting the collective responsibility to strengthen democracy in Pakistan, established under the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam and the sacrifices of millions.

Pakistan, he said, is the only country where selection is completed before the elections. He warned that the government which was in the process of formation on the basis of fake mandate would neither survive nor the world would accept it.