CaFFE calls for PC elections

Monday, 28 January 2019 01:39 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) yesterday called on the Government to hold Provincial Council elections, charging that lawmakers who had clamoured to protect parliamentary democracy in October and November 2018 had forgotten the people’s right to representative democracy.

Issuing a statement, CaFFE Acting Executive Director Manas Ahmed said that the tenure of six out of nine provincial councils had expired, while three more were due to end their official term within the next few months.

However, the Government has no plans of holding Provincial Council elections, the statement noted.

“Holding elections on time is a hallmark of democracy but the current administration is violating that principle,” Ahmed said.

He pointed out the final decision on the Provincial Council elections had to be taken by the Parliament and if there were issues with delimitation and other technical aspects, the election could be held according to the Proportional Representation system.

Ahmed claimed that certain sections which had been fighting for democracy for 51 days since 26 October 2018 had now forgotten the people’s right to representative democracy.

He further said CaFFE hoped that parliamentarians would remember the promises made during the 51-day period and take steps to hold the Provincial Council elections as soon as possible.