Senate polls; ECP takes notice of joint presser of federal ministers

As per sources, the presser, lead by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, had leveled allegations on ECP. The top electoral body has summoned the record of ministers’ presser from Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA).

Addressing a news conference along with federal ministers Shafqat Mehmood, Asad Umar, Shireen Mazari, Hammad Azhar and others, Qureshi had described the victory of Gillani against ruling party’s candidate Hafeez Sheikh as “negation of democracy”.

FM had also announced that Prime Minister Imran Khan will take a vote of confidence from Parliament.

"Those who stand with Imran Khan will be seen on one side and those who are not with him have the right to join the other ranks."

"Our concerns were that when a video and audio came out the night before the election, we tried to knock the door of the Election Commission, but there was silence," he added.

"The Election Commission had more responsibility to conduct transparent elections. The standard that should have been there has not been met today."

According to Shah Mehmood Qureshi, the Election Commission could have conducted transparent elections with the help of technology, not millions but a few hundred ballot papers were requied.

When asked about the allegations against the Election Commission, he said, "These are not allegations. I would like to say that ECP could not fulfil constitutional responsibility of holding transparent elections as videos and audios came out, which made it clear that buying and selling was going on and bids was being made.”

On the occasion, Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry quoted the Election Commission as saying that they did not use technology for voting.

"Our concerns were that when a video and audio came out the night before the election, we tried to knock on the door of the Election Commission, but there was silence."

At the end of the press conference, Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood said that the vote of confidence will be open, whatever happens will come to the fore.