Transparent LG polls not possible under existing ECP officials: PPP

ISLAMABAD: Announcing to replace the policy of reconciliation with an aggressive one, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leaders on Saturday said they did not want to resort to protests but fair and transparent Local Government elections were not possible under current ECP provincial members.

Speaking at a press conference here, PPP Vice-President Senator Sherry Rehman said that all four provincial election commissioners should have resigned immediately after the 2013 General Election.

PPP Punjab chief Manzoor Wattoo said the party held dialogue on seat-adjustment with all political parties except the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

He said his party leaders were being politically victimised in Sindh and Punjab and strongly condemned such actions from the federal institutions. “We fully support Operation Zarb-e-Azb,” he, however, added.

Wattoo vowed to withdraw all PPP candidates for the upcoming LG poll if provincial election commissioners remain on their posts.

Speaking on the occasion, former Punjab governor Latif Khosa said that democratic spirit would hurt without true reflection of public vote. He also linked PPP’s participation in local bodies elections to resignations of ECP officials.