File photo of PTI logo PHOTO: FILE
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Tuesday called for the reconstitution of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), while expressing concern over its failure to implement the Supreme Court’s directives to conduct delimitation and voters’ verification in Karachi.
The political strategy committee (PSC) of the party, chaired by PTI chief Imran Khan, expressed full confidence in chief election commissioner, but called for the fresh appointment of four provincial election commissioners, labeling the existing commissioners as partisan.
“The four members of the ECP appointed by the provincial governments should be appointed afresh and only non-partisan individuals should be appointed to overlook the polls,” said a statement issued by the PTI after the committee meeting.
The meeting raised concerns over the poor performance of the commission with regards to the implementation of the apex court’s orders, as well as looking into the misuse of state resources by the federal and Punjab governments.
The meeting reviewed ECP’s performance with a specific reference to the Supreme Court’s verdict to conduct delimitations and voters’ verification drive in Karachi and the misuse of taxpayers’ money by the federal and provincial governments.
The meeting also reiterated its demand for the resignation of President Asif Ali Zardari, stating that being also the co-Chairman of Pakistan Peoples Party he could not guarantee fair and impartial elections. His stay in the presidency would make the election process doubtful, the meeting observed.
Speaking on possible electoral alliances with other parties, the PSC reiterated its stance that the PTI was ready to engage in talks with those parties which are not part of the federal or provincial governments.
The committee observed that despite several letters written and evidence produced to CEC Ebrahim about the misuse of taxpayers’ money for election campaigns by the federal and provincial governments, the Election Commission has yet to take any action to bring an end to this practice.
The PSC also discussed the ‘jobs-for-votes policy’ of the federal and provincial governments, stating that despite ECP banning new inductions, jobs were being doled out to people with notifications being issued in back-dates.
It said the government should take all necessary steps to ensure free, fair and transparent elections.
Possible MWM alliance
PTI president Makhdoom Javed Hashmi also met Secretary General Majlis Wahdatul Muslimeen (MWM) Ameen Shahidi and discussed a possible political alliance in the upcoming elections. Hashmi said his party was striving to bring all anti-status quo forces together.
“Upcoming elections are very crucial for the country and all the political parties will have to be united on a one point agenda to save the country,” Hashmi said after the meeting.
Shahidi said MWM will support any party that wanted to materialise the dreams of making a strong and prosperous Pakistan. “Views of our party and PTI are similar on the national issues,” he claimed.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 6th, 2013.
COMMENTS (17)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
PTI's insistence to implement delimitation ordered by SC is not understandable.. Even if there is rationale for delimitation to be fair, it has to be applicable on other cities too and not restricted to Karachi only.. If this exercise has to be carried out all over Pakistani cities it has time constraint and election can not be delayed . This is unfair demand. Conducting the election is the responsibility of Election "Commissioner of Pakistan and IK is ok with him. So ECP's decision and directives shall be guidance force.and final . Or does IK doubt's the ability of Fakharuddin Saheb to reign in when he does not agree with the appointments of four other four provincial election commissioners.. IK appears to be little shaky.
Don't worry guys there are 10 or 20 of these bashers that have their phones on alert whenever a PTI related article is published so they can give their "valuable" opinions. Pretty much on every PTI their kind exists but if there is a PPP or PMLN article they mysteriously disappear. Wondering why they hate PTI when they are so convinced that they PTI isn't winning anything.
Pmln ,s social media team is performing well even on newspapers. Thanx to fool nation that they accept propagenda very easily .
@Something Clever: For those who are against Imran Khan can they please ever advice who they are for? And since when being consistent became boring?
i dont see anything wrong in his actions, all he is trying to do is to have the fair election but not with 50% bogus vote as in previous election
PTI is just making efforts to make these elections fair and clear. If People don't want to accept PTI then they should be ready for one more illiterate and devastating era of Nawaz Sharif.
@New Era: I don't see anyone scared. I see people getting bored of Imran Khan saying the same things in different ways and always playing the victim and whining when the cause is something Imran Khan himself said or did.
This tantrum of his is just a continuation of his finding convenient excuses to lose at nearly everything but a game most of the planet doesn't care about.
@popsaeed Please feel free to reveal who is going to bring about the 'prosperity' that you are referring to. INawaz League? Have Shareefs decided to pay their due taxes and bring their billions back to Pakistan to stir that 'prosperity'?
Trying to escape election again ! No PTI, Zardari has played master strokes. Noboy will chicken out of election now.
PTI + MQM+ TAHIR UL QADRI working on same Agenda do nothing but delaying the process of prosperity of country
There are fair demands. I wonder why people here on ET seem to be so scared of PTI.
LOL ok this time excuse to boycott election is Zardari!
Confused policy as usual.... CEC is ok but not Election Commission, than CEC as a head must also be responsible.... like before agenda of Dr.Qadri is ok but not method.... nothing except criticism, be mature IK / PTL
PTI is mentaly preparing its supporters for massive defeat in coming election-No joke.
PTI in action.good sign
PTI please explain what really do you want?? We are asking you to condemn the terrorists and you have said every thing except condemning the terrorists.
Closer the election time higher the degree of fever of fear of defeat.And that makes PTI to make laughable demands.End of the day boycott of election.