ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday expressed its disappointment over the allegations raised by PM Imran Khan during his address to the Nation. In its declaration issued after the meeting to review the allegations leveled by the prime minister and the federal ministers, ECP cannot do any amendment against the law and if anybody has reservation, the constitutional way is open for all.
The meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja was attended by the members of the ECP, secretary and the officials of the law wing. The returning officer (RO) Islamabad briefed the participants about the Senate polls.
The meeting reviewed allegations of horse-trading leveled by PM Imran Khan and the federal ministers, said sources and added that the ECP will issue a declaration about the meeting.
On Wednesday, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi along with his cabinet fellows, Shibli Faraz and Fawad Chaudhry had lamented that the ECP was responsible to hold free and fair polls, however, it failed in performing its duty.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Imran Khan had raised questions over the performance of the Election Commission of Commission (ECP) for not taking action against individuals buying votes for their candidates in recently held Senate polls 2021.
Prime Minister Imran Khan had said this while addressing the nation, a day after he had decided to take a vote of confidence following the ruling party suffered a setback when its candidate Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh lost a Senate seat from Islamabad to a joint candidate of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), former premier Yousuf Raza Gilani.
Election Commission said we have neither come and nor will come under the pressure of any one and we cannot ignore the constitution and law for some one’s blessing.
ECP meeting was held Friday under the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) to review Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan statement.
Returning Officer (RO) briefed the ECP on rejection of 7 votes during the counting of votes in election on general seat of Islamabad. ECP had summoned record on the matter of allegations leveled by the ministers against ECP which was received on Friday.
The ECP reviewed the PTI application on leakage of Ali Gillani video before Senate polls. The ECP reviewed the complaints received from Islamabad during Senate polls and the allegations leveled by the ministers in the press conference against ECP after Senate polls.
It is clarified what was said by some federal ministers and what was said by the Prime Minister (PM) in his address to the nation Thursday that ECP is constitutional institution and it has to see what the law and constitution allow it. This is its criterion. We can neither overlook the law and constitution for someone blessing nor can we amend it. If someone has objections over the decision of the ECP then he should adopt the constitutional path and let us do our job independently.
The statement stated “we have and will not come under the pressure of anyone. ECP heard the view point of every delegation which met it and took detailed review of their proposals. ECP hears everyone but performs its function as per law and the constitution. It takes its decisions independently without any pressure so that democracy flourishes in the country. It is surprising that those who met defeat under one roof, in the same electoral and staff was “na manzoor” (not acceptable) and who won it was manzoor (acceptable). Is it not open contradiction result of all the provinces were accepted?
Legislating is not the job of ECP but its job is upholding the law. If the constitutional institutions are allowed to be ridiculed this way continuously then it is tantamount to their weakness rather than ECP. Every person and political party should have the courage to accept the defeat and if there is any difference then talk to us with evidence. When we can hear your proposals then why cannot your complaints. Therefore, let us do our job and not to sling mud on the national institutions.
The statement said ECP will continue to discharge its constitutional obligations under law and constitution in befitting way.