ECP rejects PTI’s election postponement claim

Refutes Supreme Court reference rumors as baseless

ISLAMABAD:

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday dismissed PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan's statement suggesting a possible postponement of next year's polls.

The ECP labeled his remarks as an "unsuccessful attempt to mislead the public." At a news conference earlier in the day, Gohar had expressed doubts about the scheduled election date, alleging that the polls supervisor had already shifted the timeline.

He questioned why the election schedule, expected to be released on Thursday, was not made public.

He called PTI Senior Vice President Sher Afzal Marwat’s arrest as the latest example of the ECP’s bias.

In a statement, the ECP spokesman stated that the Commission could not be “held responsible for the present circumstances”.

After examining PTI’s challenge to the appointment of district returning officers (DROs), returning officers (ROs) and the subsequent suspension of their appointment by the Lahore High Court, the Commission deliberated on the situation in depth, the statement read, adding that it resolved to formulate a future action plan to address the circumstances.

The ECP spokesman confirmed that all preparations for the February 8 election were finalized and that the appointment of DROs and ROs was complete, noting that their training sessions had started nationwide.

Meanwhile, the polls supervisor vehemently refuted news circulating on some private TV channels, alleging that it was preparing to file a reference in the Supreme Court.

The ECP spokesperson in a statement dismissed the news as baseless.

He said the Commission retained the right to pursue legal action against those disseminating such misleading information.
“The Election Commission is executing a comprehensive plan to ensure transparent elections, with all targets being accomplished within the set timeframe,” he added.