CGEP NEWS AND EVENTS

Feb 23, 2007

CGEP demands President not to engage in any political activity

Lahore, February 23; The Citizens Group on Electoral Process noted that it had already communicated its concerns about the manner in which the new voters’ lists were being prepared to the election commission but had not received any response so far.

The Group noted that under Article 41 of the Constitution the President, was the Head of state and represented the Unity of the Republic. The present President had also taken a constitutional oath not to engage in any political activity in his dual capacity as a member of the Armed Forces of Pakistan. Some of the previous Presidents had resigned from their political offices and parties after their election as president to ensure that all manner of people accepted them as representing in their person the unity of the federation. The group was of the view that in these circumstances it was not appropriate for the Chief of Army Staff and the President to publicly campaign for a particular political party and urged him to desist from doing so.

The Group urged the Election Commission to hold an immediate inquiry into the complaints about the alleged rigging and irregularities in the recent bye-elections in Sindh in order to ensure that such complaints or rigging does not recur in the coming General Election.

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