ECP rebuffs charges of ‘political figure’

Polls supervisor says it will take decisions as per law, without giving in to any pressure

ISLAMABAD:

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday rejected and condemned the allegations levelled by a “political figure”, saying that it would “continue taking decisions in accordance with law and the Constitution” without giving in to any pressure.

The ECP said in a press release that all “such irresponsible allegations [being levelled against the commission] are baseless and based on lies”. It added that the ECP would fulfil its responsibility of conducting transparent voting, whenever the elections were held.

The statement came a day after former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan lashed out at Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja and demanded his resignation in the wake of recent leak of audio.

Prime Minister Shehbaz and key members of his family as well as the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) became the centre of attention on Sunday after audio recordings purportedly of their conversations surfaced on social media.

Read ECP summons Imran, Umar, Fawad in contempt case

On Monday, the PTI chairman alleged that in one of the leaked audios, the CEC was saying that he would disqualify Imran Khan in the Toshakhana case. Imran further alleged that PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif was asking the “CEC who should be disqualified and when to call polls”.

However, the ECP said in its press release that the electoral body was not the authority to fix a date for the general election, explaining that the election could be held only in two cases – either the National Assembly completed its term or the prime minister dissolved it.

“As of now, nothing such has happened,” the press release said, adding that the ECP would fulfil its responsibility, and ensure transparent and free and fair elections in the country, whenever those were held.

(APP WITH INPUT FROM NEWS DESK)