FAFEN, Pildat expresses serious concerns on Elections.

Islamabad -- PILDAT and FAFEN have expressed serious concerns at the non-enforcement of clearly laid-out security protocols as envisioned by the Rules of Procedure of the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab 1997 that led to disorder and violence on the floor of the Assembly during the proceedings for the election of the Chief Minister on April 16, 2022. In a joint statement, Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT) and Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) said the acts of violence perpetrated by members of the Assembly against the Deputy Speaker, who was presiding over the session as per the orders of the Lahore High Court (LHC), and other distinguished members, are highly condemnable and must be immediately taken cognizance of under the relevant penal provisions.

The unfortunate happenings inside the Punjab Assembly televised live by the media to millions of viewers in Pakistan and abroad emanated largely from negligence by the staff of the Assembly Secretariat who were duty-bound to provide all assistance to the Deputy Speaker in the performance of his responsibilities and to ensure order as per Rule 210 (5) in the absence of the Speaker. According to the observers, the security officials on the disposal of the Assembly Secretariat were not prepared to counter any untoward situation despite clear directions by the LHC for strict security measures. Despite the disorder with clear signs of escalation before the start of the proceeding, they did not make any visible effort to create an insulation between the protesting members and the Speaker's dais that allowed a physical attack on the Deputy Speaker.

The observers also noted the Assembly staff opening the doors of the 'Ayes Lobby' to let the strangers along with uniformed secretariat officials in the Assembly Chamber. These strangers were also seen resisting the law enforcement personnel who were trying to create a security cordon to protect Speaker's dais and engaging in scuffles with assembly members. Although Secretariat had announced that visitors would not be allowed on the day of the election, visitors supporting the either side continued to be present and chanting the slogans, many of them were seen by these observers being allowed to enter the floor of the House and stimulating disorder and violence. The observers noted that a contingent comprising hundreds of police personnel entered the floor of the House only after a total breakdown of order due to...

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