ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) promised PTI and JUI-F delegates that it will hold the 2019 general elections as soon as possible.
The electoral body resolved its election strategy meetings with PTI and JUI-F representatives.
The ECP discussed electoral topics like delimitations, polling, and more with key political parties.
ECP’s Media Coordination and Outreach Wing stated that the event, led by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, highlighted transparency in the voting process and guaranteed equal opportunity for all parties.
The meeting included electoral commission members, the secretary, and other high authorities. The PTI delegation met at 2pm, while JUI-F representatives met at 3pm to discuss the electoral plan.
The PTI team stressed the need for Constitutional elections within 90 days. They demanded the quick release of party leaders and followers, political rallies, and equal political opportunity for the PTI.
The party delegation also thought delimitation was unnecessary.
The JUI-F delegation acknowledged the constitutional imperative for elections but highlighted the importance of delimitation after census results are published.
They urged for electoral roll anomalies to be corrected and unbiased. As well as returning officers appointed based on the new census data.
The commission pledged to communicate with political parties for future collaboration.
Dr. Babar Awan, Barrister Ali Zafar, Umair Niazi, and Ali Muhammad Khan (through video link) represented the PTI, while Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, Jalaluddin, Maulana Darwesh, and Kamran Murtaza represented the JUI-F.
Consultation meeting
The consultation meeting was friendly. PTI and JUI-F leaders briefed the media outside the commission on meeting themes.
Barrister Zafar thanked the commission for inviting him and discussed three main points during the meeting: the election commission’s obligation to hold elections within 90 days, the PTI’s commitment to fair elections, and the need to amend Article 51 of the Constitution for census implementation.
JUI-F Senator Haideri said the discussion covered crucial subjects and reaffirmed the need for Constitutional elections.
He called for a genuine electoral process that earns the nation’s trust to avoid the issues of the 2018 general elections.
