PTI is of the considered opinion, in fact a CEC decision was made sometime ago that we would campaign for the Right of Overseas Pakistanis to vote in elections in Pakistan. Many Presidents and Prime Ministers have made this promise whenever they have been abroad. Even the Supreme Court charged the Election Commission of Pakistan to look into this issue and devise a plan (in the 90's). However such a right if given will shake the established corridoors of power wherein there is a huge reflection of bogus and coercive voting in maintaining the status quo.
Let me communcite to all of you the practical side. If somebody wants to vote for his/her constituency he should be exposed to a political campaign. In many countries such campaigning would not be allowed for example in the entire Middle East. Secondly on what basis would you select our constituency. For many it would be easy and for some city dwellers it would be difficult. For this reason a far better option is available which would also make a very good reflection in Pakistan politics.
This option is Proportional Representation. for those of you intereseted please look up at the advantages. First-past-the-post system skews the electoral process wherein there is an inaccurate reflection of party votes relative to seats gained. Theretically Party A can get 100% seats with 51% of the votes and Party B can get zero seats though it gets 49% votes. This is an extreme example but every election done in this format shows that the final result never reflects the vote count. All major parties in Pakistan (including PPP in its original manifesto) have at different time proposed proportional representation but as they come into power they get an advantage through first-past-the-post system and they do not want to let it go.
Many countries have moved towards other voting systems including proportional representation and range voting. The most accurate is range voting but it requires a literate population (and we have made sure to keep people illiterate).
Overseas Pakistanis would easily be able to vote for parties (proportional representation) and then for the first time in Pakistan this vote will allow seat allocation on the basis of party vote strength, thereby balancing the entire politcal edifice.
The High Commission of Pakistan has put up a questionnaire on its website http://www.phclondon.org/votingright/default.asp (Only for UK residents)
Please fill it out and ask all Overseas Pakistanis to campaign for this issue. Some of you may remember that we discussed this in our earlier blogs with an overwhelming demand that we should do something. Now you have the chance.
Sincerely,
Dr Arif Alvi
Secretary General
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf
http://www.insaf.pk/Media/InsafBlog...t-be-given-the-Right-to-Vote-Take-Action.aspx
Let me communcite to all of you the practical side. If somebody wants to vote for his/her constituency he should be exposed to a political campaign. In many countries such campaigning would not be allowed for example in the entire Middle East. Secondly on what basis would you select our constituency. For many it would be easy and for some city dwellers it would be difficult. For this reason a far better option is available which would also make a very good reflection in Pakistan politics.
This option is Proportional Representation. for those of you intereseted please look up at the advantages. First-past-the-post system skews the electoral process wherein there is an inaccurate reflection of party votes relative to seats gained. Theretically Party A can get 100% seats with 51% of the votes and Party B can get zero seats though it gets 49% votes. This is an extreme example but every election done in this format shows that the final result never reflects the vote count. All major parties in Pakistan (including PPP in its original manifesto) have at different time proposed proportional representation but as they come into power they get an advantage through first-past-the-post system and they do not want to let it go.
Many countries have moved towards other voting systems including proportional representation and range voting. The most accurate is range voting but it requires a literate population (and we have made sure to keep people illiterate).
Overseas Pakistanis would easily be able to vote for parties (proportional representation) and then for the first time in Pakistan this vote will allow seat allocation on the basis of party vote strength, thereby balancing the entire politcal edifice.
The High Commission of Pakistan has put up a questionnaire on its website http://www.phclondon.org/votingright/default.asp (Only for UK residents)
Please fill it out and ask all Overseas Pakistanis to campaign for this issue. Some of you may remember that we discussed this in our earlier blogs with an overwhelming demand that we should do something. Now you have the chance.
Sincerely,
Dr Arif Alvi
Secretary General
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf
http://www.insaf.pk/Media/InsafBlog...t-be-given-the-Right-to-Vote-Take-Action.aspx
