Senate polls to be held through secret ballot under the constitution: top court
Pakistan’s Supreme Court on Monday ruled that polls for the upper house of parliament will be held through a secret ballot in accordance with the constition.
Article 226 of the Constitution reads: “All elections under the Constitution, other than those of the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister, shall be by secret ballot.”
The 4-1 majority opinion was announced after President Dr Arif Alvi sought the opinion of the court if the condition of secret ballot under Article 226 of the Constitution can be applied to the Senate elections. The presidential reference was approved following Prime Minister Imran Khan’s proposal to “end corruption and buying and selling of votes in the Senate polls” amid the massive rigging and horse-trading allegations.
The top court, however, ruled that the upcoming polls be held through secret ballot under the law and also urged the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to take all measures to curb corrupt practices and ensure free and fair elections. The apex court also said that secrecy is not absolute.
Utilize technology to ensure transparency
Supreme Court, in its brief decision, also suggested that the ECP could utilize latest technology to hold transparent elections. “The Election Commission is required to take all available measures including utilizing technologies to fulfill the solemn constitutional duty to ensure that the election is ‘conducted honestly, justly, fairly and in accordance with law and that corrupt practices are guarded against’” the court said.
Meanwhile, Attorney General Khalid Javed Khan said the court’s decision is clear that the secrecy in Senate elections was not absolute and the suggestion to make use of the latest technology means a unique bar code or serial number could be introduced on the ballot paper for tracking purpose.