As we are all aware that for any system to function, an efficient check and balance must be in place. In that light, for a governmental system to function a similar check and balance must exist, which can only come from an Independant judiciary, a free media, and a watchdog civil society. We all are also aware that if this judiciary, which for the first time dared question the executive is not restored, then no judge for the coming 60 yrs will dare do the same. Hence, our commitment to the restoration of the judiciary as it was pre Nov 3rd.
For that end, and for becoming the effective watchdog that we aim to become, the first step begins from these elections. People must know who they are voting for, and what these people stand for. The government must know that we will not stand for any rigging in the elections and will do our utmost to prevent and expose any rigging. And most importantly, all the politicians must know that times have changed, and now they will be held accountable.
The Name and Shame CampaignWe research into the positives and negatives of major political figures in Pakistan's major political parties. This would include:
- Their work in the halqa/constituency (goods and bads that happened during their last term in power)
- Their positions on various legislation in the National Assembly/Senate
- Allegations: Proven/Unproven against them
All of the above need to be referenced from credible sources.
Hence, the main players of all the political parties (PPP, PML-N, PML-Q, MQM, MMA) must be covered. So pick any of your choice and inform us (RiseOfPakistan at Gmail dot com). Even if you're unable to research a complete profile, however much is in your capacity will be appreciated. The deadline for submission of the said information is Thursday 11th Jan, (Next week) by midnight. The subsequent weekend will be employed to circulate the findings as widely as possible.
Any suggestions for the furthering of our aims are welcome.
In solidarity,
Student Action Committee
1 comment:
I am sorry Akeel, I thought about this "Name & Shame Campaign" and i find it very much against our stance.
We, the students decided along with lawyers & other wings of civil society that we are going to BOYCOTT these elections.
Now, This campaign of ours might be a good initiative, but doing it, so that "the people should know whom they are voting for" doesn't makes much sense.
Why do you want to assist people in voting for a better candidate, when our stance is that these elections are sham ones and will be rigged in order to get as much of pro-Musharraf people in assemblies as possible.
In my personl opinion, if we are not accepting these elections, then any effort to highlight them, including an effort to make a record of candidates' previous performances, their stance on different issues, the policies they want to implement, is just like being part of this whole "Election Drama".
If everything is pre-planned, including poll results, then nothing is going to help, not even this name and shame campaign. If we have to boycott elections in its true spirit, we have to boycott it in totality. Not just for its namesake.
It might be a much needed effort, but it is not a well timed one.
I am opting out of it and retracting my offer for contributing to this campaign, I don't feel it is in lieu with our stance regarding these elections.
--regards
Mohammad Ali
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