Election Commission of Pakistan. — AFP File Photo

ISLAMABAD: Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Hamid Ali Mirza on Monday said the electoral lists would be finalised by the end of May and suggested political parties not to interfere in its proceedings, DawnNews reported.

Speaking at a meeting organised to consult with political parties for the preparation of new electoral lists, Mirza said the Election Cmmission of Pakistan (ECP) was a free and independent institution and hindering its proceedings would be unconstitutional.

Mirza said that complete voters’ lists could not be prepared by Feb 23 — the deadline given by the Supreme Court.

The ECP, political parties, civil society and media held a consultative session today to discuss key issues for ensuring credible and transparent elections in the country.

Mirza said all institutions should operate within their boundaries.

The chief election commissioner said that the lists could not be finalised before the end of May. “And before that there would be no constitutional value of the lists,” he added.

PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Mushahid Hussain Syed, Iqbal Zafar Jhagra of the PML-N, Nayyar Bukhari of PPP, Liaquat Baloch of Jamaat-i-Islami, Hashim Babar of ANP and MQM’s leader Iqbal Qadri attended the meeting.

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