Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan (SCBAP) President Mian Muhammad Rauf Atta has issued a scathing statement condemning the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for its alleged failure to ensure free, fair, and impartial elections during the recent PB-45 by-elections in Quetta.
In his remarks, Atta said the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has once again failed to ensure the conduct of free, fair, and impartial elections. This time, in the PB-45 Balochistan Assembly constituency (Quetta VIII), a small constituency with just 15 polling stations. “We regret to state that if the ECP cannot guarantee the conduct of fair elections in such a small constituency with only 15 polling stations, how can it ensure the holding of fair and impartial elections on a national scale?”
"We take serious exception to the poor performance of the incumbent Chief Election Commissioner while chairing this vital constitutional post,” he added.
“Questions continue to mount regarding all elections held under him, whether general elections or others. He has repeatedly disregarded his one simple constitutional duty: conducting free, fair, and impartial elections. Allegations surrounding this election have raised further concerns that cannot be ignored,” he stated.
“By disenfranchising the people from their constitutionally guaranteed right to vote, the Commissioner has failed to uphold the dignity of his office. Therefore, it would be morally appropriate for him to resign rather than waste valuable resources and further strain the public exchequer,” he demanded.
“We further note that, during the conduct of the by-elections in PB-45, the internet was deliberately strangled. This has severely undermined the democratic process,” he added.
He said, “Free and fair elections conducted transparently are critical for ensuring political and economic stability. The holding of such questionable elections will worsen the already precarious political situation in Balochistan, which is already grappling with significant law and order challenges.”
“We have also been informed that the Deputy Commissioner of Quetta has issued threats and used inappropriate language towards Kamran Murtaza. In addition to being a Supreme Court Advocate, he is a former president and a long-standing member of this Association. Hence, this Association views this incident with serious concern. We call upon the DC of Quetta to refrain from such behavior. His conduct was extremely derogatory, unbecoming, and highly irresponsible for an officer of his rank, whose duty is to serve the public in the best possible manner,” he stressed.