ECP asked to check rigging for Senate, presidential polls

MARDAN: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Peshawar region’s information secretary Engineer Adil Nawaz has demanded the Election Commission of Pakistan to cease rigging orchestrated under a conspiracy for the presidential and Senate elections.

He also urged the commission to allocate specific seats to the PTI-backed Sunni Ittehad Council in accordance with the Constitution.Speaking to reporters, Adil Nawaz stated that the Election Commission had been working to undermine Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. Initially, the “bat” symbol was revoked from PTI, followed by granting independent status and different symbols to all ticket holders. He argued that numerous obstacles were then introduced in Form 45 and Form 47 for PTI candidates.

The PTI leader lamented that even after independent assembly members backed by PTI joined the Sunni Ittehad Council, the Election Commission rejected the council’s request for specific seats. He contended that the decision would adversely affect the presidential and Senate elections.

Adil Nawaz criticised the Commission’s decision as unconstitutional and illegal, asserting that it would be challenged in court. He deemed the decision regarding specific seats contrary to the Constitution and the law, branding it as illegal and unconstitutional.

He said that as a result of a conspiracy, the Sunni Ittehad Council had been deprived of 77 reserved seats in the National and provincial assemblies, and called for the resignation of the chief election commissioner.