RAWALPINDI: Awami Muslim League (AML) President Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Monday urged the chief justice to simplify the affidavit forms which all expected candidates are required to fill, arguing that so many details will be difficult to supply in such little time.

Addressing a press conference at the Rawalpindi Press Club, Mr Ahmed said nikah forms were less extensive than the nomination forms, which he said will require lawyers to properly fill.

The Supreme Court has restored almost all information omitted from the nomination forms by parliament last year.

These affidavits include declarations by the candidate about not defaulting on a bank loan or utility charges, details about candidates’ spouses and dependents, their businesses, details of any criminal charges, education details, taxes paid in the last three years, contribution to the community’s welfare, donations to the party or sums received from the party and net assets with annual increase or decrease in them.

Nikah forms are less extensive than the nomination forms, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed says

Candidates will also need to declare information about their travels abroad during the last three years and the costs incurred on these.

They will permit the Foreign Office to obtain information about them regarding if they have been citizens of another country or if they have applied to be one.

Mr Ahmed said it will be difficult for candidates for the 2018 elections to supply all this information.

He said these forms also required details of all the hotels the candidate may have stayed in during the last three years.

“Banks provide a one year statement, but the forms require five-year bank statements,” he said.

Mr Ahmed urged the election commissioner to take notice of the issue.

“I also pointed out the main issue of the timing of polling, which I think should be increased to between 8am and midnight otherwise the turnout will be low due to the hot weather,” he said.

Mr Ahmed added that the weather is not suitable for elections and that the election commission should make special arrangements for cool drinking water and fans for people who have to queue outside polling stations.

Asked about Chaudhry Nisar’s decision to contest the elections independently, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said he was happy that his old friend had started on a new journey in politics.

“He should reveal secrets as the time has come for him to inform people about the truth,” he said.

Asked about his campaign, Mr Ahmed said he will start his campaign with PTI candidate for the provincial assembly, Chaudhry Adnan from Tuesday onwards.

He said the people of Rawalpindi are faced with water shortage and that he will bring water from Ghazi Barotha if he wins the elections.

“People have faced the worst water shortage and electricity load shedding, which will be the main issues during the upcoming election campaigns,” he said, adding that problems can be solved via free and fair elections so new governments are formed on merit.

Published in Dawn, June 12th, 2018