Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja has said that his commission is not against or in favour of any political entity.
At ‘National Voter’s Day’, an event organised by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), the chief said: “Na hamara koyi favourite hai, na hum kisi ke khilaaf hain” (Neither do we have any favourites nor are we against anyone).
Raja said that the ECP had already informed the Punjab government that the commission would make use of previous laws under Article 283 of the Constitution if the administration attempted to amend the local government law again.
He said local government elections in Punjab will take place in the last week of April and emphasised the urgency of those polls.
Moreover, the ECP chief was of the view that the commission has faced “unwarranted criticism” for allegedly opposing the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and balloting rights for overseas Pakistanis.
“I challenge all critics to show one instance where the ECP opposed electronic voting machines or voting rights for overseas Pakistanis. However, there should be a procedure in place,” he said.
He underlined that the commission is in support of the use of technology in elections, but said it must be backed by all stakeholders.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, on multiple occasions, called out the commission for allegedly scuttling the introduction of EVMs in support of his political rivals.
