http://jamaat.org/news/2009/Jan/06/1001.html
Election of new JI ameer to complete by April '09
LAHORE, Jan 06: The election process of new ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan will be completed in the first week of April 2009. The JI shoora in its recent meeting has finalized three candidates for the top slot as the term of office of Qazi Hussain Ahmad is expiring in April and he has asked the Shoora not to include his name as a candidate for next term citing health reasons.
The three names announced by nazim of elections (Chief election Commissioner) Abdul Hafeez Ahmad included JI secretary general Syed Munawar Hasan, JI naib ameer Liaqat Baloch and JI NWFP ameer Sirajul Haq. The ballot papers containing these names will be issued to all party Arkan (pillars) within next month and will be returned before April.
According to party constitution, Shoora finalizes names of three candidates from whom anyone getting highest votes from all JI Arkaan (pillars) is declared as successful. However, the three names are there for the guidance of the voters and the party constitution allows them to vote for anyone else among the Arkan who they deem suitable to become ameer.
It may be mentioned that the elections of JI ameer has been taking place every five years since the creation of the party on the principle of secret ballot. JI founder Maulana Syed Abul Aala Maududi remained ameer from 1941 to 1972 when he asked Shoora not to nominate him for next citing health reasons. Mian Tufail Mohammad succeeded him as ameer in '72 and asked to be excused for the next term due to health reasons. Qazi Hussain Ahmad succeeded Mian Tufail Mohammad in 1987.
Usman replied on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 08:17 PM
There should be a limit on how many times one can be elected ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami, perhaps limit of two, that would mean 10 years. That would give a chance for new blood to come to leadeship.
Regardless of elections every five years, Jamaat-e-Islami ameer's remains as ameer for life or until asked not to include in election. |
tzk replied on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 08:27 PM
They themselves give chance. On top of that, they dont run. The central executive suggests people 3 people whom they think are suitable but the members can elect anyone, even out of those 3.
Jamaat is the only one having elections at all levels, all other parties lack that. On top of that, in other parties, whoever is elected/selected/makes his way to presidency, never steps down until he/she is brought down. |
Usman replied on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 08:46 PM
I guess regulations should be changed so central executive should not be able to suggest a person that has already served two terms as ameer. This would allow new blood to come to leadership and bring new adeas to jamaat. |
tzk replied on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 01:00 PM
i think we keep raising the bar for those who have standards and follow them. On the other hand, we dont care for the so called "Champions of democracy" who "CAN'T AFFORD" (Benazir's words) elections in their party.
I just used Benazir's words. All parties are like that. Just imagine elections in MQM and someone running against Altaf, or in N league someone running against Nawaz or PPP Someone running againt Zardari/Bhutto or ANP someone against Wali or JUI someone running against Fazlurrahman, or Tehreek-Insaaf and someone running against imran. The list goes on
Keep in mind, in every election there were two other candidates. Even against Maududi. |
tzk replied on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 01:04 PM
Keep in mind, in every election of Jamaat Islami, there were two other candidates whether against Maududi or Mian Tufail or Qazi. Another beauty is that sometimes when election is being held, some of the candidates are out of country on their official trips as trips are planned way in advance and at that time, they dont even know that they will be nominated as candidates |
Usman replied on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 04:02 PM
tzk sahib, everything you said up there is true. But looking at the 70 years of history of Jamaat. Once elected, how many time has Jamaat's ameer lost re-election? Of course the answer is none. This indicate there is something wrong with the election process/guidelines.
By re-electing same ameer over and over does not mean that anything is wrong with ameer. All I am saying is that how do we ensure new blood and new ideas come to Jamaat which is very crucial for any system to evolve? Limiting term limits to two wound ensure we have constant evalution of leadership with new blood and new ideas to Jamaat.
MQM, N League and other political parties need to do the same thing. Presidency and Prime minister should also have limit of two term. |
