PTI, PML-Q, agree on reconstitution of ECP
Leaders of both the parties have also agreed to work together on the process of legislation.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Muslim League Quaid-e-Azam (PML-Q) have agreed on reconstitution of Election Commission of Pakistan.
A delegation of PTI comprising Vice President Shah Mahmood Qureshi, PTI President Javed Hashmi and its General Secretary Jehangir Tareen called on PML-Q chief Chudhry Shujaat Hussain at his residence in Islamabad on Wednesday.
During the meeting both the parties agreed on reformation of Election Commission of Pakistan. They also agreed on working jointly regarding legislation.
Talking to media after the meeting, Shah Mahmood Qureshi said the PTI has briefed the PML-Q on its stance over the issue of rigging during May 11, 2013 general elections.
He said that new records of rigging were made during the general elections while the present body of the ECP failed to fulfill its responsibility.
Qureshi said that the country needs electoral reforms. He said that the PML-Q has supported PTI’s charter of demand and there is a complete agreement between both parties over the demand of ECP member resignation.
The PTI leader blamed that the local administration was involved to rig the polling during by-election in Khushab and the ECP remained silent over this. He demanded the resignation of ECP members.
PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain said that the performance of the government remained zero during last 330 days. He said that one or two members of the Election Commission could voluntarily tender their resignation. Chaudhry Shujaat said even those successful were saying that rigging took place in the elections.
On this occasion, PTI’s president Makhdoom Javed Hashmi said that the general elections were rigged while the government was making further mistakes. He said that the members of ECP should follow example set by former chief election commissioner Fakhruddin G and should resign.
It is pertinent to mention here that PTI chief Imran Khan on Tuesday held telephonic conversation with Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leaders Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Chaudhry Pervez Elahi.
They discussed country’s political situation and exchanged views over formation of independent election commission to ensure free and fair polls in the future.
During May 11 protest against alleged rigging in last year s general election, Imran Khan sought the reconstitution of Pakistan’s election commission into a strong and independent institution.
He presented a 9-point charter of demands that aims to make the election process free and fair.
Demanding reconstitution of the election commission, Khan said those responsible for "35 punctures" must not be made part of the new EC. He also demanded that overseas Pakistanis be given the right to vote as per Supreme Court orders.
Announcing the next protest rally, which will be held in Faisalabad on May 23, he said that if election rigging was not investigated, there will be protests in front of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) offices every Friday.
