76pc of PTI’s papers accepted, ECP tells SC

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Special Secretary Dr Syed Asif Hussain on Sunday rejected the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) allegations that it was not being provided a level playing field for the February 8 elections and asked the Supreme Court to “dismiss the contempt petition with a penalty”.

The ECP official said this in reply to the PTI petition, demanding the SC to begin contempt of court proceedings against the ECP secretary, inspectors general of police (IGPs), chief secretaries of the four provinces and interior secretary over non-compliance of the apex court order passed on December 22, 2023.

The ECP special secretary said that on the SC order, the commission held a meeting with the PTI delegation and heard their grievances. He said their complaints were addressed and they were assured that a level playing field would be provided to all the parties and candidates without any discrimination.

Hussain said the electoral body had issued instructions pertaining to the complaints to the Islamabad chief commissioner, all the four chief secretaries, provincial election commissioners and IGPs.

He added that the orders were also issued to the district returning officers and returning officers. The special secretary said that until December 26, 2023, a total of 33 complaints were made by the PTI and actions were taken on all of them. The IGP, chief secretary and ROs also submitted reports regarding action on the PTI complaints, he added.

The ECP said the petitioner’s allegations were negated by the data obtained from the ROs, which showed that a total of 843 PTI candidates submitted nomination papers for the National Assembly election, out of which 598 were accepted and 245 rejected by the ROs.

“Similarly, 1,777 PTI candidates submitted nomination papers for provincial assembly seats, out of which 1,398 were accepted and 379 rejected. Hence, the ratio of acceptance of the papers of PTI candidates for National and provincial assembly seats is 76.18 percent,” the ECP said in the reply.

On December 22, 2023 the PTI said that the ECP had “promised a level playing field” in the February 8 polls. The statement had come after a PTI delegation held a meeting with the electoral body on the directions of the apex court.

Speaking to the media in Islamabad after the meeting, PTI spokesperson Shoaib Shaheen had said that Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja and other officials, taking cognizance of their concerns, had reassured the party that the ROs and police officers, who had tried to cause problems for the party, will be replaced soon.

Meanwhile, amid the media reports of resignation of ECP Secretary Omar Hamid Khan for health reasons, the commission came out with the official announcement on Sunday, saying the secretary was performing his responsibilities well. However, added the statement, he had been facing some health issues for the last few days and was on ‘medical rest’ (medical leave) in the past as well, and he would join his duties soon if health permitted.

ECP Secretary Omar Hamid Khan said that he was suffering from chest infection and was under treatment in a hospital of Islamabad’s Blue Area. Doctors have advised him rest during treatment, instead of working as usual.

The ECP secretary said he had sent his resignation to the Election Commission of Pakistan on January 5, but Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja did not accept it. “He advised me to take bed rest at home during treatment as per instructions of doctors,” Omar Hamid clarified.

Later, in a message, the ECP secretary said he would recover soon and perform his duties alongside the Chief Election Commissioner and members of the Election Commission for holding the general election. He said currently, the ECP special secretary was looking after his work, adding that the elections would be held on February 8, 2024 as per the schedule issued by the ECP.

Meanwhile, a spokesman said the ECP was operating seamlessly, ensuring continuous functioning even on holidays, with its offices diligently engaged in their tasks. “Both the two special secretaries of the commission are running the affairs of ECP in the absence of secretary,” the ECP spokesman said.

The spokesperson said Omar Hamid Khan is an intelligent and hardworking officer and is performing his responsibilities well.

Sources said the ECP secretary was currently on medical leave and the fact had also been accepted in the spokesperson’s statement.

Meanwhile, in a post on social media platform X, Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi urged the people not to pay any attention to rumours.

Confirming the sickness of ECP Secretary Omar Hamid Khan, he prayed for his early and complete recovery. He said ECP was fully functional and there was no crisis of any kind. Earlier, reports emerged on the electronic media saying ECP Secretary Omar Hamid Khan had tendered resignation for health reasons. Sources said the secretary had been under treatment in a hospital for a few days and he was now undergoing treatment at home. Sources said Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja had advised him to prioritise his health and seek the best treatment until complete recovery.