ISLAMABAD: Dismissing allegations put forth by Pakistan Awami Tehrik (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri, Pakistan's Chief Election Commissioner on Thursday said that all members of the Election Commission have been appointed according to steps defined in the constitution.

CEC Fakhruddin G Ebrahim added that discrediting the ECP for political gains would not be tolerated.

Speaking to media representatives here in Islamabad, Ebrahim said that all members of the ECP are retired High Court judges and that none of them has any political affiliations.

The CEC warned that hurling baseless allegations at the ECP could adversely affect the electoral process.

Ebrahim said that the ECP had taken steps against parliamentarians with fake degrees and dual nationality. He added that people had the right to criticise, but personal attacks are uncalled for.

The former judge expressed his complete confidence on the ECP’s members and staff. He said that their objective was to hold free and fair elections, which is why the ECP had taken steps to curtail pre-poll rigging.