ECP rejects PM's criticism on Senate elections

ISLAMABAD (92 News) - The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday expressed disappointment over Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan's statements on Senate elections.

The ECP declaration issued after the important meeting of the commission on PM's allegations. Referring to former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani's victory over Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, the ECP said it 'rejects' the analysis and criticism that is being levelled over one result of the Senate elections.

In a written statement, the ECP said that it has never come under any sort of pressure and God willing, will not in future as well. "Let us work, don't throw mud on national institutions. Every political party and person should have the spirit of admitting defeat. You can't ignore the law to please anyone," it added.

"If there is a difference, bring evidence. If you can hear suggestions, why not complain? Secret voting is the beauty of the constitution and democracy," the statement said.

The ECP stressed that the Senate elections were held according to the law and Constitution. "We cannot ignore the law and the Constitution to please anyone," said the ECP its statement.

The ECP said that it had heard all delegations that had called on it to discuss election-related matters and conducted a detailed review of their concerns and recommendations ahead of the Senate polls.

"The election commission hears everyone but fulfills its responsibilities in accordance with the law and Constitution and takes decisions independently, not under any sort of pressure," the statement read.

The ECP wondered why elections for the upper house of the parliament, which were held on the same day and managed by the same ECP staff, were accepted by critics where they had won but rejected where they lost. "Is this not an open case of contradiction?" asked the ECP.

The ECP urged critics of the Senate elections to come forth with evidence and then accuse the commission of any wrongdoing. "Let us carry on with our work, don't sling mud on national institutions," read the ECP's statement.

Earlier a day after Senate polls, PM Imrna Khan said that the ECP had damaged democracy. "The Election Commission of Pakistan has given an opportunity to discredit democracy," he added.

PM Imran Khan said that Yousaf Raza Gillani distributed money for winning the election. "The ECP saved the culprits involved in the vote theft. The objective of defeating Abdul Hafeez Sheikh was to hang the sword of no-confidence. The opposition wants the NRO by blackmailing me," he added.

He said that the government had presented a bill for the open ballot and later moved the Supreme Court after the opposition did not support them.

The prime minister said that all will have to work as a society to end corruption.