The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has vehemently denied the allegations levelled by the Rawalpindi commissioner against the ECP or the chief election commissioner regarding interference in election results.
In a statement issued by the ECP spokesperson, it was clarified that no official of the election commission had instructed the Rawalpindi commissioner to alter election outcomes.
#ECP pic.twitter.com/x7iER8WPWY
— Election Commission of Pakistan (OFFICIAL)🇵🇰 (@ECP_Pakistan) February 17, 2024
The ECP affirmed that it would conduct a swift inquiry into the matter to ascertain the facts surrounding the allegations. According to the commission, no commissioner of any division was neither the district returning officer, returning officer nor a presiding officer.
“The commissioner has no direct role in the conduct of the election,” the ECP spokesperson stressed.
Meanwhile, a senior official of the Rawalpindi police has rejected reports of the commissioner having been arrested.
The Rawalpindi SSP (operations) insisted that a person could not be arrested until there was a formal first information report registered against them.
کمشنر راولپنڈی لیاقت علی چٹھہ کی گرفتاری کے حوالے سے چلنے والی خبر کی راولپنڈی پولیس تردید کرتی ہے، راولپنڈی پولیس نے کمشنر راولپنڈی کو گرفتار نہیں کیا ہے۔
— Rawalpindi Police (@RwpPolice) February 17, 2024
The developments indicate a concerted effort by the Election Commission to address the allegations transparently and uphold the integrity of the electoral process. The promise of an inquiry underscores the ECP's commitment to ensuring fairness and accountability in electoral proceedings.
On the other hand, caretaker Punjab Information Minister Amir Mir also said that the allegations of Liaquat Ali Chattha would be investigated. "There is an element of conspiracy in the Rawalpindi commissioner's statements," he maintained.
He also questioned whether a person talking about suicide and hanging would be normal. "The commissioner's arrest is being considered," he claimed, adding that it was being seen what agenda he was following.
