ISLAMABAD: Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Special Secretary Dr. Syed Asif Hussain on Sunday rejected Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) claim that it was not given a level playing field in the elections scheduled for February 8 and asked the apex court to “dismiss the contempt petition with load”.
The Election Commission said this in response to a PTI petition seeking the Supreme Court to initiate contempt of court proceedings against the ECP Secretary, Inspector Generals of Police (IGP), Chief Secretaries of four provinces and the Home Secretary for not following the SC order passed on December 22, 2023.
The ECP Special Secretary said that on SC’s orders, the commission met the PTI delegation and heard their grievances. He said their grievances were addressed and they were assured that all parties and candidates would be given a level playing field without discrimination.
Hussain said the election authority had issued instructions regarding the complaints to the chief commissioner Islamabad, all four chief secretaries, provincial election commissioners and the IG. He added that orders have also been issued to district returning officers and returning officers.
The Special Secretary said that till 26 December 2023, a total of 33 complaints were filed by PTI and action was taken on all of them. The IG, Chief Secretary and RO have also submitted reports regarding action on PTI complaints, he claimed.
The Election Commission said the petitioner’s claim was refuted by data obtained from the RO, which showed that a total of 843 PTI candidates submitted nomination papers for the National Assembly elections, of which 598 were accepted and 245 were rejected by the RO.
“Similarly, 1,777 PTI candidates submitted nomination papers for provincial assembly seats, of which 1,398 were accepted and 379 were rejected. Thus, the acceptance ratio of PTI candidate documents for national and provincial assembly seats is 76.18%,” the ECP said in response.
On 22 December 2023, PTI reported that the ECP had “secured a level playing field” in the 8 February polls.
The statement came after a PTI delegation held a meeting with the election body on the apex court’s directions.
After meeting the media in Islamabad, PTI spokesperson Shoaib Shaheen said that Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja and other officials who took note of their concerns assured the party that the RO and policemen who tried to create trouble. side “soon to be replaced”.
