Route all correspondence through Nadra: ECP turns down ministry's directive

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday turned down the directive of Ministry of Interior to route all correspondence with Nadra through the Ministry. A meeting of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) was held Tuesday under the chairmanship of Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan, former Justice Hamid Ali Mirza and was attended by four Members Election Commission of Pakistan.
The meeting discussed a letter received from the Secretary, Ministry of Interior to route all correspondence with Nadra through the Ministry, which was considered in detail and the ECP termed it against its independence and autonomy.
The meeting quotes, "Article 220 of the Constitution of Pakistan categorically provides that "It shall be the duty of all executive authorities in the Federation and in provinces to assist the Commissioner and the Election Commission in the discharge of his or their functions".
In this regard, the Supreme Court of Pakistan, in a case titled Shiekh Rashid Ahmed vs Government of Punjab (PLD 2010 SC 573) has also remarked that "Chief Election Commissioner and the Election Commission are absolutely independent with exclusive jurisdiction while performing duties in terms of Part VIII of the Constitution in which no interference is allowable by any of the parties interested by resorting to any manner and mode."
After due deliberation and discussion on different important issues on the Agenda, the ECP, inter alia, took the decisions unanimously that the documents submitted by the six newly formed political parties were found to be in conformity with the provisions of the Political Parties Order, 2002 and directed to be retained on record in accordance with law. These include, Muttahida Muslim League, Ittehad Alam-e-Islam, Muslim Movement Pakistan, Awami Tehreek, Sindh Dost Ittehad and Pakistan Liberation Front.
The requests of allotment of symbols to two already recognised political parties Hazara Awami Ittehad and Pakistan Basic Right Movement were considered and symbols of FootBall and Bridge were allotted to them.
On another request of Dr Mian Ihsan Bari, Khaadim-e-Aala of a party named "Allah-o-Akbar Tehreek", for change of the designation of the party head as proposed by its Central Working Committee as "Adnaa Khaadim Pakistan" was also approved.
The issue of entitlement of Kashmiries, residing in Pakistan, for registration in the Electoral Rolls-2011 was discussed in detail and keeping in view its importance, it was decided to convene a special meeting of all concerned on September 30, 2011 to resolve the matter amicably.
For ensuring fair and credible elections and to avoid possibility of any rigging in elections, the ECP approved the proposal for using special imported paper with watermark and non-market specifications for ballot papers during the forthcoming national, provincial and local government elections. The use of magnetised ink for obtaining thumb impression by the presiding officer for casting of vote was also approved as it will ensure transparency, create deterrence against casting of bogus votes.