Why is the chief election commissioner using an SUV, asks PTI

In a letter to cabinet secretary, party's spokesperson also seeks details of CEC's assets

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) sought on Tuesday an explanation from the federal government as to why the chief election commissioner (CEC) was using an unauthorised vehicle and also details of his assets.

"The CEC is entitled to use a 1,600cc vehicle as per rules," PTI spokesperson Fawad Chaudhry wrote in a letter addressed to the secretary of the cabinet division. "However, he is using 4,800cc SUV that costs around Rs50 million."

This, he added, was taxpayers' money and amounts to misuse of authority in addition to a colossal loss to the government exchequer.

"I, as citizen of Pakistan, have a constitutional right to know that under which law the CEC has been authorised to use such luxury vehicle," he wrote in the letter.

"In addition, please furnish the details of assets the CEC holds in his own name, or in the name of his spouse or children within the period of 15 days as per given in the respective law i.e. Right to Information Act," he added.

PHOTO: Express

The development came a few hours after Chaudhry told reporters that the commissioner should declare his assets first and then ask politicians to do so later, Express News reported.

"The chief election commissioner scrutinises the assets of every parliamentarian but if he is asked [to provide the details of his own assets], then it amounts to contempt," he remarked.

He added that the CEC's decisions were creating public mistrust and adding to their reservations.



Chaudhry was responding to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) rejection of party's chief Imran Khan's reference against estranged party MNA Ayesha Gulalai to de-seat her.

On October 17, the ECP had directed police to arrest Khan over his failure to appear in a contempt case. The arrest warrants were suspended by the Islamabad High Court on Tuesday.

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