Impression of leaning towards a particular party misleading: ECP

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Wednesday said the impression of its leaning towards a particular political party was contrary to facts.

According to the spokesman, the Commission had re-posted its decision on the disqualification of Adil Bazai MNA on its website so that the commentators could read it carefully at least once before giving their opinion and then decide which institution was biased.

The spokesman pointed out that Article (3)(A) (63) of the Constitution authorized the Commission to decision on the declaration within (30) days of its receipt from the National Assembly Speaker.

“Record shows that Adil Bazai was elected as a Member of the National Assembly as an independent candidate and the notification of his success was issued on February 15. Within the required three days, on February 16, 2024, Adil Bazai submitted an affidavit of affiliation to the PMLN to the party leadership, which was received by the Election Commission on February 18, 2024.”

The Election Commission approved it on February 19, 2024 and informed the National Assembly about it through a letter on April 25, 2024.

The National Assembly posted the party affiliation list of members on its website, in which Adil Bazai’s name was present at series number 256 with affiliation to the PMLN. But despite this, Adil Bazai remained silent about his party affiliation from April 25, 2024 to November 2, 2024, and after a reference was filed against him, he filed an application with the local court on November 2, 2024. Moreover, Adil Bazai, dated February 29, 2024, took oath as a Member of the National Assembly in 2024.

The National Assembly Speaker said in his references that, on June 12, 2024, Adil Bazai did not vote in favor of the Finance Bill 2024 (Money Bill). In addition, he did not participate in the vote on the 26th Constitutional Amendment.

In this regard, after the references were received by the Speaker of the National Assembly, the references were confirmed in accordance with the Constitution and law and Adil Bazai’s membership of the National Assembly was terminated and the seat of the National Assembly constituency concerned was declared vacant.