Pakistan: Election Commission assures to allay the apprehensions of Imran Khan’s party
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Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party on Friday said the Election Commission has assured that it will address its concerns over lack of level playing field in the February 8 general elections. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawyer Shoaib Shaheen made the comments when a party delegation met members of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) here following directions issued by the Supreme Court earlier in the day. A three-member bench of the Supreme Court had earlier in the day directed the apex election body to address the concerns of jailed former prime minister Khan’s party about lack of level playing field in the upcoming elections.
A three-member bench of Justice Sardar Tariq Masood, Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Syed Mansoor Ali had issued the order on a petition filed by Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. The court summoned Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan and officials of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). After hearing the arguments, the court had asked PTI to submit its complaint to the apex election body at 3 pm on Friday. The court had also directed the Attorney General to facilitate both the parties to resolve the issue. According to Geo News’ news, Khan’s lawyer Shoaib Shaheen had alleged that despite the announcement of elections on February 8, 2024, maintenance of public order (MPO) orders are being issued against his leaders.
He said nomination papers are not being provided to PTI candidates and they are not being allowed to submit them. Speaking to the media after the meeting with the Election Commission, PTI lawyer Shaheen said, “They (ECP officials) have promised that the complaints will be resolved,” Dawn newspaper reported. The Commission will play its role in ensuring free and fair elections.
Shaheen said he has assured the party that whatever complaints have been made will be resolved. According to the news, the Election Commission also issued separate instructions to the Chief Commissioner of Islamabad, police chiefs of Islamabad and Sindh and all four chief secretaries and provincial election commissioners regarding the nomination papers of the candidates. The letters said that several complaints were received about electoral candidates facing difficulties in receiving and submitting nomination papers, as well as reports of snatching of documents. The letter said the commission took the matter ‘seriously’ and directed to inform the election watchdog to take necessary action under the law on such matters.
Disclaimer: IndiaTheNews has not edited this news. This news has been published from PTI-language feed.
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