Govt rules out new law on electoral expenses

Three-member bench of the Supreme Court heard the petition on electoral expenditures. The CJP, who headed the bench, said the importance of the political parties should be more than that of a candidate. People, in the past voted in the name of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, the chief justice maintained. Voters should also question the candidates, the way it happens in the other countries, he added. Abid Hassan Manto argued that the politics in the country was under the influence of the feudal aristocracy. The vested interest wants to maintain the old political culture, he added. The CJP also said that casting vote could be made compulsory in the country. The federal government, on the other hand, was of the view that there was no need for new legislation on electoral expenses.The court adjourned the hearing of the case until tomorrow.