ECP breaks silence on criticism

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Wednesday broke its silence on the criticism on it by the former ministers of ex-PTI government and other functionaries with reference to the holding of general elections, following the dissolution of the National Assembly.

The ECP spokesperson said the Election Commission geared up to fulfil its constitutional and legal responsibilities but other institutions and personalities should also discharge their constitutional and legal duties on time and desist from needless criticism.

Also Read: Arif Alvi asks ECP to propose dates for general elections

Referring to the statements of former ministers and other ex-government officials belonging to PTI. The ECP spokesperson emphasized that the Election Commission is fully aware of its constitutional and legal responsibilities. Also was capable of conducting the elections accordingly and always discharging all its duties as per the Constitution. He pointed out that the National Assembly’s constituencies reduced to 266 from 272 after the merger of ex-Fata, reducing its NA seats from 12 to six, and in such a situation, delimitation was imperative before the conduct of elections.

Since the national census 2017 provisional, it could not notified, therefore, work on delimitation could not start. The Election Commission wrote multiple letters to the government functionaries. Even the PM and Ministry of Parliamentary Commission was fully aware of constitutional and legal responsibilities. Also capable of conducting the elections accordingly and always discharging all its duties as per the Constitution. He pointed out that the National Assembly’s constituencies reduced to 266 from 272 after the merger of ex-Fata. Reducing its NA seats from 12 to six. In such a situation, delimitation was imperative before the conduct of elections.