Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: The remaining two members of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Wednesday took oath here at Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Secretariat.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja administered the oath to the new members of ECP included Babar Hassan Bharwana from Punjab and Justice (retd) Ikramullah Khan from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The function was attended by Election Commission members, Secretary Election Commission, former Secretary Election Commission Kanwar Dilshad, and family members of the members.
President Arif Alvi had appointed Babar Hassan Bharwana and Justice (retd) Ikramullah Khan as members of the ECP from Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, respectively. Both the positions fell vacant due to the retirement of Justice (R) Altaf Ibrahim Qureshi (member Punjab) and Justice (R) Irshad Qaiser (member KP). The President made these appointments under Article 218 (2)(b) of the Constitution on the advice of the prime minister. Under the Constitution, the ECP comprises a chief election commissioner and four members, one from each province. Separately, CEC Sikander Sultan Raja on Wednesday said that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is “always ready for elections” as he stressed it will continue to make decisions without fear.
“The election commission makes its decisions fearlessly and it will continue to do so. If anyone is displeased by or disagrees with the decisions, it’s their problem,” he said during an informal talk with reporters following the administration of oath to two new members of the ECP. He was asked to respond to allegations of bias against the electoral watchdog.
The CEC said that “everyone is our friend” and the ECP makes decisions according to the law and Constitution.
The PTI has accused Raja and the election commission of bias, with former prime minister Imran Khan frequently calling on him to resign. On May 11, the party announced plans to file a reference against Raja, with Fawad Chaudhry saying the “biggest political party had lost trust in him”.
