ECP convenes urgent meeting today

Will compile response to PM, federal ministers’ statements

ISLAMABAD:

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has convened an urgent meeting today (Friday) to compile a response while remaining within the constitutional limits to Prime Minister Imran Khan’s accusation during an address to the nation that the polls body was “damaging democracy”.

The commission also took notice of the federal ministers’ Wednesday news conference, headed by Shah Mahmood Qureshi, in which they hurled accusations against the ECP, saying that it had failed to conduct “clear, transparent and fair elections”.

Premier Imran addressed the nation on Thursday while the federal ministers held the conference soon after it was announced that the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf failed to win the general seat in Islamabad in the Senate election.

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According to sources, the meeting, to be chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, will review the statement of PM Imran.

“The ECP will issue a response to the PM’s statement while remaining within the constitutional limits,” they added.

The sources said, “The ECP has sought record of the news conference of the federal ministers from the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority.”

They said that the commission would also decide on the course of action after reviewing the record in its meeting on Friday.