ISLAMABAD: Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) rejected “irresponsible and baseless allegations” leveled by a “political figure”, saying ECP will keep taking decisions under law and Constitution in fulfilment of its lawful obligations.

Statement from ECP comes a day after former Prime Minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan targeted Chief Election Commissioner Sikander Sultan Raja demanding his resignation following surfacing of audio leaks allegedly featuring conversations between key figures in coalition government.

Imran said audio leaks had made it apparent that CEC Raja was a “servant of Sharif household”. In audio leaks, “Nawaz is telling CEC who should be disqualified and when to hold elections,” former premier said.

After audio leaks, CEC should resign if he has even an ounce of shame, he said. “But he doesn’t have any shame, so we will have to make him resign.” ECP responded to criticism without naming Imran, saying it had no control over holding elections.

“Elections can be held in only two circumstances. First, either assemblies complete their term or prime minister dissolves assemblies,” it explained while insisting that neither of possibilities was in sight at moment.

However, it added that ECP had a major responsibility of ensuring transparency in elections which it said will ensure whenever polls were held. Audio recording of purported conversations between key government figures including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz and some members of federal Cabinet discussing governance matters privately surfaced over weekend, prompting concerns over security of Prime Minister’s Office.

Published in The Daily National Courier, September, 28 2022

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