What is logic behind secrecy in Senate polls ask Justice Ijazul Ahsan

ISLAMABAD (92 News) - Hearing on presidential reference on Wednesday, Supreme Court (SC) Justice Ijazul Ahsan asked that what is the logic behind secrecy in Senate polls

A five-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed heard the presidential reference seeking the court’s advice over open ballot in upcoming Senate election. “Why secrecy, if a member wants to vote according to his or her conscience,” the justice asked.

“If opposition parties don’t want to change the existing electoral procedure, it means they are not intending to halt trading of votes,” Justice Gulzar Ahmed said in his observation. “It is not against the law if any member votes against the party line,” Justice Ijazul Ahsan said in his remarks. “However, it will be a crime if it proves that a member has sold vote,” Justice Ahsan further said.

Attorney General Khalid Javed argued that the government wants transparency in electoral process for seeking open ballot in Senate election. “Seeking open ballot in Senate elections not aimed at maligning politicians,” he also argued.

“It is the right of the people to know, to whom their elected member is voting,” Khalid Javed said. “People not voting to a candidate but they vote for a party.”

“The 18th Constitutional Amendment changed many thing, why the secret ballot in Senate polls was not changed,” Justice Umar Ata Bandial posed question.

The court adjourned further hearing of the case till tomorrow (Thursday).