ECP reserves decision in Karachi LG polls case

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday reserved its decision in the Karachi local government (LG) elections case.

The case was heard today at the Election Commission. Jamaat-e-Islami's (JI) lawyers argued that the party's victory had been changed to defeat and refused to accept the results of the recount.

The commission's Balochistan member said that they "will not spare anyone involved in irregularities," and will make a decision after conducting a review.

Further, the ECP dismissed the returning officer (RO) of Union Council 7 Sultanabad, Kemari.

An inquiry committee headed by the provincial election commissioner was formed to conduct an inquiry against the RO and ordered to submit an immediate report.

The committee will examine the role of the RO and gather evidence on electoral fraud. Recommendations regarding disciplinary and criminal action against the RO will also be formulated.

The ECP appointed the regional election commissioner as the new RO who will record the statements of all the candidates and provide the results within 7 days and reserved its decision in the Karachi LG polls case.

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After the hearing, JI Karachi Amir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, while talking to the media, said that by-elections were not held in 11 UCs.

"On whose request is the ECP not conducting elections?" he questioned, adding that it is being reinforced that the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) is influencing the Election Commission.

The JI leader said that PPP has started making fake 'Form 11's' and that the ECP should have a forensic audit conducted. "Even after two months, justice has not been served in the Election Commission," he said.

Naeem claimed that the bags carrying the votes were opened and double-stamped, adding that only JI's votes were tampered with. He further said that elections in the 11 remaining UCs should be held immediately.

"The reputation of the ECP is being destroyed," he said. "This is a test case for the Election Commission. It should take a decision without coming under pressure, otherwise, we will protest on ten major highways of Karachi," the JI leader added.

Last week, the JI moved the Sindh High Court regarding the delay in holding LG polls in Karachi's remaining UCs. Elections had been postponed on these seats due to the death of contestants. The court was requested to decide a schedule to complete the electoral process for the local government setup in Karachi.