ISLAMABAD - Lauding the Supreme Court’s verdict regarding Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for taking necessary measures to check the violation of financial limits set for campaign, major political parties viewed the judgement could bring positive change in the country if implemented in letter and spirit.

The Supreme Court in its detailed judgement recently ordered the Election Commission to take all necessary measures to make voting compulsory in Pakistan as early as possible.
The major opposition party in the Parliament Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) supporting the judgement termed it as comprehensive verdict.
“It is a very comprehensive verdict and if implemented in letter and spirit, it would ensure over 90 per cent turnout on polling day,” said senior PML-N leader Siddique-ul-Farooq talking to TheNation. This verdict, opposition party leader said, if implemented could helpful for eliminating maximum possibility of rigging in elections.
When contacted, PML-Q leader Senator Kamil Ali Agha said that there should also be proper implementation on this in the country.
“No doubt it could bring very positive change if implemented,” he said, adding that there should be proper awareness about the value of vote, as even educated persons do not cast their votes. Agha further proposed legislation on it to further ensure the order of the Supreme Court (SC).
Commenting on the SC verdict, Awami National Party (ANP) Senator Zahid Khan also considered it an excellent decision to ensure transparency in polling. Usage of unlimited money, Zahid said, for elections should be monitored, as this would ensure maximum transparency in elections. “Implementation does matter as on law or verdict not serve all the purpose,” he added.
Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) assumed that it could helpful for eliminating maximum rigging in the election. Strongly supporting the monitoring on expenditure for polls, MQM’s leader Waseem Akhtar said that it should be properly monitored and his party already never exceeded these limits.
Giving Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) viewpoint on the SC verdict, PTI leader Shafqat Mehmood said that it was very comprehensive and good decision indeed. “PTI fully supports it as expenditures should be properly monitored in election days,” he said, adding if it is implemented in letter and spirit in the country then transparency could be ensured.
It is relevant to mention here that in order to ensure that all elections witness a substantial and effective participation of the electorate, the Supreme Court has ordered the election commission to take all necessary steps to make voting compulsory in Pakistan as early as possible.
It directs the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to take all necessary steps to check the violation of limits set for campaign finance, bribery, holding of processions and use of loudspeakers, besides ensuring that in no case the candidates are allowed to hire/use private transport on the election day etc.