ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on Wednesday observed that the Supreme Court had already held that there should be only democratic system in the country to thrive.
He said that all should work to strengthen the system and the institutions whereas the Court's insistence on the electoral reforms reflected that these would be sustained efforts to solidify the system further.
He made these observations while heading a three-Judge bench over a constitutional plea moved by Workers' Party Pakistan through Akhtar Hussain advocate general secretary regarding electoral reforms.
Attorney General for Pakistan Irfan Qadir in his arguments over the issue of compulsory voting for citizens, said that it would require legislation.
The Chief Justice observed that they wanted everyone to be a part of the system, enabling him to express his desire through balloting.
The AG said that in various countries of the world including US and Canada there were no such laws in which compulsory voting was made with imposition of penalty over the persons hesitant to caste their votes.
He said there should also be legislation for giving right to the citizens for not casting their votes.
Justice Sh. Azmat Saeed remarked that the elections should not be solely restricted for the elite class.
Justice Gulzar Ahmed said that they were not asking for penalizing the voters who wanted to stay away from the elections.
Bilal Manto, counsel for the petitioner, contended that there should be total ban upon lavish expenditures during the election campaigns.
To bench's query, the AG replied that he would contact the concerned quarters over the possibility of compulsory voting and apprised the Court over next date of hearing.
Acceding to his request the bench adjourned further hearing till January 30 and told the AG to get information whether such a legislation could be possible for the upcoming general elections or for the future.
Earlier, the counsel for the petitioner, had contended that legislation should be made for making the polling compulsory with imposition of some penalty.
He further said that the object of the compulsory voting, if achieved, would fulfill the requirement of the Constitution incorporated in Article 2A, according to which, "The State shall exercise its powers and authority through the chosen representatives of the people."
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