KARACHI - Chief Election Commissioner Justice (r) Fakhruddin G Ebrahim has once again refused of conducting fresh delimitation of electoral constituencies in Karachi before the next elections.
During his meeting with the leaders of opposition parties protesting outside the provincial election commission office here on Monday, the chief election commissioner assured them the presence of Army personnel in voters’ verification process from Monday.
On this occasion, he also informed them that 44 per cent voters’ verification process has been completed in the City. Besides, on the protest and request of the election commission, a cell has been established by the Pak Army at provincial election commission, which will remain respond emergency calls 24 hours for the support of election commission. 
Meanwhile, the protest sit-in of over 20 political and religious parties was concluded on third consecutive day outside the Provincial Election Commission office against the absence of Army personnel in ongoing voters’ verification process in the City.
The opposition leaders reiterated that they will continue to protest against the ongoing verification of electoral rolls until the SC verdict would not be implemented in its true spirit. They vowed the electoral process would not be hijacked by the hands of MQM at any cost adding main reason of the deteriorated law and order situation was the result of unfair elections. “If the SC verdict was not being implemented in its true spirit, then the sequence of sit-ins and protest will continue”, they stressed.
Hafiz Hussain Ahmed of JUI-F, Ameer JI Karachi Muhammad Hussain Mahenti, Secretary Naseem Siddiqui, Saleem Zia of PML-N, Jam Madad Ali of PML-F, Shah Owais Noorani of JUP, Syed Hafeezuddin of PTI, Matloob Awan of ST, Ghulam Mustafa Farooqui of JUI-S, Maulana Taj Hanfi of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat, Syed Shah Muhammad Shah of SUP, and others were address to the participants of the sit-in. A large numbers of women and children were also participated in the sit-in.
The leaders expressed their satisfaction on the assurance of CEC while warned that if the SC verdict would not be implemented, then they will continue and expand the sit-ins and protests. During the sit-in, the leaders of opposition fully backed the decision of sit-in in Islamabad on Thursday. Addressing the participants, Hafiz Hussain Ahmed of JUI-F said CEC Fakruddin G Ibrahim was indulged in contempt of court by violating the SC verdict over voters’ verification. “The creator of NRO, General (r) Pervez Musharraf is not in the country but Army Chief General Ashfaque Pervez Kiyani is equally responsible for implementing the NRO,” he added.
He further said the opposition parties would express discontent if CEC Fakruddin will change his decision after meeting with COAS General Ashfaque Kiyani.
He said some forces were not in favour of holding general elections adding the people of Sindh have understood the game of President Zardari.
Hussain Mahenti of the JI said the government had given free hand to MQM and it had seized the office of Election Commission. He informed that the opposition parties have intimated the CEC that they will not accept results of general elections without rectification of voters’ verification. He further informed the CEC has assured the presence of Army personnel in voters’ verification process from Jan 29.
He demanded the presence of Army personnel inside the polling booths on the day of election. On the occasion, he announced full support to PML-N’s sit-in on Thursday in Islamabad.
Saleem Zia of PML-N advised the CEC not to accept the pressure of MQM, adding that all political parties are with him. He added the bloodshed for last 25 years being continued in Karachi. The CEC must take notice of all such things.
Jam Madad Ali of PML-F said the transparent voters’ lists would not be prepared without the presence of army adding the people will not come out for voting if the flaws in electoral rolls would not be rectified.
Shah Owais Noorani of JUP said Army personnel should sit with the presiding officers on the day of general elections. Matloob Awan said not even a single Army personnel had yet to be seen during voters’ verification process in the City.
Maulana Taj Hanfi said all political and religious parties had demanded formation of transparent voters’ lists but the EC had not taken any step in this regard.
Syed Shah Muhammad of SUP said the government had surrendered in front of a terrorist party, adding sit-in will expand towards Parliament House if their demands would not meet.