PPP expresses dissatisfaction over the refusal to grant the 'arrow' symbol to its candidates in Punjab.
Taj Haider calls upon the Chief Election Commissioner to provide directives to all Returning Officers for the allocation of designated symbols as per Section 66 of the Elections Act 2017. Haider asserts that there is clarity in the stipulations of Section in the Elections Act 2017. Haider notes that independent candidates exploit "prejudices" for their benefit. PPP emphasizes the ongoing pattern of denying electoral symbols.
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has expressed reservations regarding the refusal of the party's 'arrow' electoral symbol for its candidates in different constituencies of Punjab, as reported by The News on Tuesday.
Taj Haider, head of PPP's election monitoring cell, penned a letter to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja, highlighting the ongoing trend in Punjab where PPP ticket holders are denied the party's election symbol and categorized as independent candidates.
In the letter, Haider emphasized the significance of Section 66 of the Elections Act 2017, stating that a candidate's declaration of affiliation with a particular political party, along with a certificate from the party, is the sole and final requirement for obtaining a prescribed symbol.
He underscored the clarity of Section 66 and urged its strict adherence. Haider pointed out that the constitutional democracy's fundamental structure revolves around political parties. While acknowledging the option for citizens to run as independent candidates, he expressed concern that the presence of independents in elected bodies could lead to undesirable practices like horse trading.
Haider noted that independent candidates often exploit divisive factors like parochial, racial, tribal, sectarian, and provincial prejudices among citizens. According to Article 33 of the Constitution, the state is mandated to discourage such prejudices, promoting voting based on performance, policies, and party manifestos.
Highlighting the contradiction with Article 33 and Section 66 of the Elections Act 2017, Haider urged the CEC to issue general instructions to all Returning Officers (ROs) and District Returning Officers (DROs) to allocate prescribed symbols to candidates who have submitted a party certificate affirming their affiliation at the time of symbol allocation.
What's Your Reaction?
