ECP rejects report on polls

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan Friday termed the Pattan report on 2024 elections a continuation of baseless and fabricated propaganda to defame institutions.

A spokesman of the electoral body said that it would have been appropriate to take viewpoint from the Election Commission before publishing the report. He insisted it is worth mentioning here that any such report has no value until the viewpoint/stance of the Election Commission is taken in this regard.

“Because this report was published without knowing the position of the institution, which shows that it is a continuation of completely baseless and fabricated propaganda,” he said. He emphasized that the Election Commission will not be pressured by such tactics and will continue to perform its duties in accordance with the constitution and law.

The ECP spokesman billed the interview of a representative of the Pattan, which was aired on a private TV channel, and Pattan’s press release dated February 8, 2024, as completely baseless and contrary to facts. He claimed that this report shows that Pattan and its officials are part of an organized conspiracy to defame the country’s institutions. He contended that it is very important to clarify here that the Election Commission has displayed the Forms 46, 45 and 47 received from the Returning Officers on its website without any changes, which are still available today, and in this regard, the affected parties have filed their election petitions in the Election Tribunals as per the law, the hearing of which is underway and some tribunals have also given decisions on the petitions after hearing the positions of the parties. “Voter turnout is included in the Election Commission’s annual and post-election reports, which are being published as per the law,” he maintained.

However, he said it would not be appropriate to comment on the reserved seats for women and non-Muslims because this matter is sub-judice. He added the Election Commission will decide on this matter in accordance with the constitution and law. “If anyone has such material of irregularities, they should provide it to the concerned candidates and the affected parties so that they can present it before the tribunals and proper action can be taken on the petitions as per the law,” he noted.