ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: President Mamnoon Hussain on Wednesday said the nation’s decision, once given through vote, must be whole-heartedly accepted and respected by all segments of society.
“The administration should ensure implementation of the ‘sacred verdict’ of the people with great sincerity and remove very obstacle in the way,” the President said at a ceremony to mark National Voters Day, organized by Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) at the Aiwan-e-Sadar in Islamabad.
The President said whenever an opportunity arises, the people should exercise their right of vote without any inducement, coercion or negative thought and with the intention of furthering national objectives.
“We are well aware of the losses as a result of deviating from this principle and world’s history is full of such ugly examples,” he said.
President Mamnoon welcomed holding of National Voters Day on December 7, the anniversary of Pakistan’s first general election to highlight the importance, efficacy and sanctity of vote to strengthen the country’s democratic foundations.
He said in Islamic concept, vote is considered a sacred duty because the Quran and Sunnah guide about making decisions with consultation and handing over responsibility to those capable of it.
The President said the basis of independent, impartial and transparent elections in the country lied in the maturity of peoples’ consciousness, the first step of which was registering their names in the voter list with great responsibility.
He expressed satisfaction that Election Commission of Pakistan had set up voter education committees at district level to ensure correct registration of votes and educate people about the importance of vote.
He proposed for the committees to also impart training on the correct use of vote in addition to their responsibility of ensuring accurate voters’ registration to make electoral system more effective.
He suggested Election Commission to develop a consensus code of conduct in consultation with all political parties in the country, which should enjoy the status of a national document.
President Mamnoon said an independent and self-sufficient Election Commission was important in holding free and transparent elections.
He said the priorities of the government in this regard were correct and expressed confidence that it would continue to fully cooperate with the Election Commission in future.
