Election Commission dismisses reports of delay in elections as ‘baseless’, ‘misleading’

ECP again defers PTI chief’s indictment in contempt case,

Unveil final constituency list today

ISLAMABAD (Staff Reporter) – Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has categorically dismissed as baseless and misleading the reports regarding a delay in next general elections.

A spokesperson for the ECP stated that the news of delay in elections circulating in the media was completely unfounded and confusing.

“The ECP strongly doubts the credibility of news related to delays in elections, and declares as entirely false the reports of unprepared electoral lists,” added the spox.

The spokesperson further stated that the ECP had decided to take legal action against those spreading such false news, and measures were being taken to address the dissemination of misleading information.

Recording of news broadcast on various channels was also being sought to facilitate legal proceedings against those responsible for spreading deceptive information, concluded the spox.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday again deferred indictment of the PTI chairman in a case of contempt of ECP and chief election commissioner (CEC) till Dec 6.

Nisar Durrani-led four-member commission conducted hearing of the contempt case against the PTI chief, Asad Umar and Fawad Chaudhry. The PTI chief was not presented to the Election Commission of Pakistan from Adiala Jail due to security concerns.

Fawad Chaudhry’s lawyer Faisal Chaudhry and PTI chief and Asad Umar’s lawyer Shoaib Shaheen appeared before the commission.

Member Commission Nisar Durrani said the security situation was not appreciable, so they did not want to take risk for the PTI chief to be presented before the commission.

He said one and half years had passed but charges could not be framed against the PTI chief. He further said it was an issue of framing charges, so these could be framed anywhere.

Former PTI leader Asad Umar appeared before the commission and requested it to acquit him in the case. He said he had been attending the commission regularly and had now quit politics. The commission member said they would issue an order in this regard.

Fawad Chaudhry’s lawyer requested the commission to issue production order for his client. He said there was no security issue for his client.
A day earlier, an accountability court had extended bail of the PTI chairman and his wife Bushra Bibi till Dec 6 in Toshakhana and Al-Qadir Trust cases. Judge Muhammad Bashir heard the pleas in the Adial Jail where the PTI chief and Bushra Bibi were present.

NAB prosecutor Muzzafar Abbasi and PTI chief’s counsel Latif Khosa appeared before the court. The PTI chief was convicted on Aug 5 in the case filed by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for hiding the proceeds from the sale of gifts he received from the Toshakhana at cheaper rates. He was arrested the same day and incarcerated.

Earlier,

ECP  is scheduled to release the final list of constituencies based on the 7th Population and Housing Census 2023 today (Thursday), earlier than initially planned.

According to ECP spokesman, objections concerning the new constituencies for the national and four provincial assemblies were deliberated and concluded on November 22.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has commenced sending out updated electoral rolls to different districts in preparation for the upcoming general elections.

According to an ECP spokesman, the final printing of the updated electoral rolls for the upcoming general elections is currently underway at the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA).