“Fee can’t be blamed in any method for the present scenario,” electoral authority says
- ECP rejects PTI’s allegations of delay in polls.
- Says it can’t be blamed for present scenario.
- “Fee is considering over scenario.”
ISLAMABAD: The Election Fee of Pakistan (ECP) rebuffed claims of a political occasion that the upcoming normal polls could possibly be delayed because the election schedule stays pending, with nervousness seemingly rising over the evolving state of affairs.
In a hiccup for the ballot organising authority, the Lahore Excessive Courtroom (LHC) suspended the ECP’s notification requesting returning officers (ROs) from the paperwork for the overall elections on February 8, 2024 — the election date — on petition of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
In a press convention earlier, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan had additionally claimed that there have been “fears” that the elections could possibly be delayed because the “election fee has already moved elections ahead by making excuses”.
“The election schedule needed to be launched at this time [but the ECP hasn’t issued it yet],” Gohar, who was lately appointed because the occasion’s chairman rather than PTI founder Imran Khan, stated.
In response to the claims, the electoral physique stated: “Throughout a press convention, the PTI chairman levelled allegations towards the fee of delaying polls. We reject these claims that are geared toward misguiding the individuals.”
The ECP, in a press release, clarified that the polls will happen on February Eight and that “all preparations” are equipped for staging them.
“In reference to the polls, district returning officers [DROs] and returning officers had been appointed and their coaching was additionally underway,” the fee stated, including that coaching was essential for a clean electoral course of.
Nevertheless, the ECP famous that the PTI challenged the appointment of the officers within the LHC and consequently, their appointments had been suspended.
“Following their suspension, the fee is now considering the scenario and can quickly announce a plan of motion. Nevertheless, the fee can’t be blamed in any method for the present scenario.”