Karachi, The Pasban Democratic Party (PDP) has called for the abolition of high fees required for participating in elections, advocating for reforms that enable common citizens to easily afford and access the electoral process.
According to Pasban Democratic Party, General Secretary Iqbal Hashmi emphasized the need to eliminate or significantly reduce the fees for election candidates. He criticized the current constituency system, which he believes favors wealthy landlords and powerful individuals, making it difficult for the average person to enter Parliament. Hashmi argued that the election process should not be a profit-driven endeavor where candidates invest large sums to win seats and subsequently profit financially.
The PDP has been actively promoting political awareness among the youth, believing that they are the key to steering the country in a positive direction. Hashmi expressed concern that major political parties in the country are not earnestly addressing the issue of money-driven politics, which primarily benefits those who can afford to buy their way into power.
The party advocates for the adoption of a proportional representation system, akin to those used in developed countries, to ensure fairer and more beneficial electoral outcomes for Pakistan. Hashmi called for reforms to enable online access to voters and candidates to the voters list, making the electoral process more transparent and accessible.
Further, Hashmi criticized the current electoral system, where he claims that only wealthy individuals can afford to run for office, often spending exorbitant amounts to secure their positions and influence within their parties. This system, discourages educated, talented, and honest individuals from participating in elections and needs to be reformed.
The PDP proposes adopting a method of proportional representation, allowing voters to cast their votes free from pressure. Hashmi argued that the current constituency-based elections create an environment where voters are subjected to various pressures rather than enjoying the freedom to choose candidates independently.
To ensure fair elections, Hashmi suggested forming an observation committee comprising members selected by political parties registered with the Election Commission. He also proposed that political parties should adhere strictly to their party agendas and election manifestos to eradicate politics based on non-issues, linguistic and provincialism, and blame-shifting.
The PDP’s stance is that anyone accused of corruption or involvement in illegal activities should not be eligible to participate in elections unless cleared by a court. This measure is aimed at ensuring accountable and ethical leadership for the country.