PPP calls ECP for clarity on poll date amid political tensions

ISLAMABAD: Amid growing political tensions, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has urged the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to announce the election date, highlighting concerns about the caretaker government’s impartiality.

According to Dawn.com, the PPP has voiced concerns about what it perceives as “special treatment” granted to Pakistan Muslim Leagure- Nawaz (PML-N) leader Nawaz Sharif, underscoring the need for a level playing field.

Although the ECP previously suggested elections were ‘likely’ to occur in the last week of January 2024, no official schedule has been released, contributing to mounting uncertainty.

PPP Secretary General Nayyar Bukhari stressed that the ECP is accountable to the nation and the apex court, emphasising that fair elections are vital to ensuring that the results are accepted.

Read More: Siraj ul Haq announces Gaza March outside US consulate

“The lopsidedness of caretaker governments is becoming evident with each passing day. On what basis is the Punjab government suspending sentences?” questioned Bukhari.

Meanwhile, the PPP’s vice president, Senator Sherry Rehman, expressed similar concerns, stating that the delay in setting an election date has sparked uncertainty and raised doubts about the ECP’s credibility.

Amid the uncertainty, the voter registration deadline and information updates have been extended until October 28. The PPP called on the ECP to announce the election date without further delay to safeguard the people’s right to vote.

The PPP firmly stated that a “minus-Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf (PTI) result” in the general elections would not be acceptable to anyone. Rana Farooq, PPP Punjab acting president, made it clear that while they do not endorse PTI’s actions, election results without PTI’s participation would lack acceptability.

Discussing the protocol provided to Nawaz Sharif upon his return after four years, Farooq noted that it was met with mixed reactions from people in various provinces. He also touched upon the alliance of PPP with PML-N in 2008, describing it as a necessary step to remove Pervez Musharraf from power.

Faisal Mir added that Nawaz Sharif’s homecoming had helped the PPP by bringing back supporters who had previously joined other groups. The discussion also touched on the economic impact of higher tariffs for electricity and gas, with the PPP underscoring its own record during its tenure in power between 2008 and 2013.