The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government is all set to bring about major changes to the electoral system of the country. Reactions of the other parties to the proposed changes, particularly the introduction of Sections 202 and 213(A) vary widely.

While some of the political workers The News on Sunday talked to welcomed the introduction of Section 202 as a timely move in the right direction, others called it a violation of the Constitution which they said guarantees a citizen’s unabridged right to contest elections and form political parties. Section 202 makes it mandatory for a political party to have at least 10,000 members, to be registered with the Election Commission of Pakistan.

Section 213(A) requires that political parties hold annual conventions where their members are allowed to express their views with regard to the party’s performance. Should the government succeed in bringing about the change in law, all political parties will have to organise annual conventions on a regular basis.

MNA Ali Pervaiz Malik of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz says, “as far as Section 202 is concerned, I personally see no harm in it. Rather, I feel it is a step in the right direction. I think the time is right for such a law to e made“. He says to him it’s a reasonable proposal. “There are many political parties registered with the ECP that don’t have the proposed strength, says Malik. He says such parties are an impediment to the development of a vibrant democratic culture in the country. Small membership parties, he say, are often vulnerable to manipulation and exploitation of the democratic process. He says the mainstream political parties have strong roots in the masses.

Malik says small parochial parties also cause provincial and ethnic tensions and weaken the federation. He says, however, that instead of taking unilateral decisions in such matters, the government should take all political parties into confidence. He says the government should aim for a consensus among major political parties.

By introducing Section 202, the government intends to make it mandatory for every political party to have at least 10,000 registered members in order to be registered with the Election Commission of Pakistan.

With regard to Section 213 (A), MPA Irfan Daultana of the PML-N says, his party will not be affected by the law. “We have a great political culture in the party. Our leadership listens to the party workers. Positive criticism of their policies and initiatives is welcomed. Party conventions are regularly held at constituency, district and provincial levels. Irfan says, “primary members and workers are the eyes and ears of any political party. Regular consultation with the workers is beneficial for the leaders as well the party. The feedback allows the party policies to be responsive to grassroots concerns.”

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) central deputy secretary Munawar Anjum thinks otherwise. He says any move to bar smaller parties from carrying out political activities and entering the elections arena would be detrimental to both the overall political system and the political culture of Pakistan. He says it would also be a denial of fundamental human rights. “It’s the constitutional right of every citizen of Pakistan to form a political party. No one should try to deprive him of this right. Such a move will cause a sense of insecurity and deprivation among the people of Pakistan, particularly smaller provinces”, says Munawar Anjum. He points out that Prime Minister Imran Khan had formed and run a small party for well over a decade. Had such a law been in place then, he says, Imran Khan could not have reached the parliament and become a prime minister.

Jamaat-i-Islami central leader Farid Ahmed Paracha says that parties lacking popular support should be stopped from participating in political activities. He says such groups cause unrest and a sense of deprivation in the provinces. He says only parties having a vast membership should be allowed political activities, including participation in elections.

Paracha says, “I am not against criticism, but it should always be within reasobnable restrictions. It should not be like criticism for the sake of criticism”. He says the social media have harmed the political culture. “When party conventions are held it should be ensured that there is no personal criticism or character assassination of the political leadership. There should be issue-oriented debates”, says Paracha.

The writer, a journalist, can be reached at ahsanzia155@gmail.com