Islamabad: The Election Commission of Pakistan spokesperson has said that some vested interests are engaged in baseless allegations and misleading propaganda against the institution, the Chief Election Commissioner, and members. In a statement, the spokesperson clarified that the chief election commissioner and members take all decisions in accordance with the constitution and law, and they do not come under any pressure or blackmail.
He said that comments were made on the Chief Election Commissioner’s meeting with the Speaker of the Punjab Assembly, although in the past also, various government officials, including former President Arif Alvi, had met the Election Commission on official matters several times.
The spokesperson said that senior PTI leaders have also met the Chief Election Commissioner several times, including Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Asad Umar, Pervez Khattak, Mahmood Khan, and former Chief Minister Usman Buzdar. In such a situation, the objection to the recent meeting is beyond understanding.
He clarified that no official of the Election Commission met anyone in a personal capacity or for personal interest and that political parties’ approach to the Election Commission falls within the constitutional ambit.
The spokesperson also termed Sahibzada Hamid Raza’s allegations as baseless and said that he did not declare himself as a candidate of PTI ideology in his nomination papers, nor did he submit a ticket of Sunni Ittehad Council, nor did he formally apply for an alliance or election symbol. Therefore, he was declared an independent candidate as per the rules and was given the symbol of Minare.
