Khwaja Saad Rafique expressing his reservations against the ECP. —DawnNewsTV
Khwaja Saad Rafique expressing his reservations against the ECP. —DawnNewsTV

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) took 'strict notice' of Khwaja Saad Rafique's remarks whereby he claimed he was in the lead "by around 6,000 votes" in Lahore's NA-131 constituency and objected to the delay in the release of results.

Rafique had also remarked the "sleeping commission should wake up" and take action against alleged rigging.

"It takes only five minutes to upload the results on the RTS. Why is it that out of 242 polling stations, results from 52 are still awaited?" he inquired adding that he and his workers had witnessed a few stationary vehicles containing polling materials which seemed to be in no hurry to move.

He also claimed that the ECP had failed to supply a list of overseas Pakistanis and that the party had to approach the Lahore High Court for an order.

According to a press release issued by the commission, "strict notice has been taken of Khwaja Saad Rafique's remarks".

The ECP notice observes that "no candidate has the right to interfere or exert pressure on presiding officers and returning officers performing their duties".

It also states that the commission will not tolerate any intrusion by any political party or candidate.

Listen to his complete tirade here.

Opinion

Who bears the cost?

Who bears the cost?

This small window of low inflation should compel a rethink of how the authorities and employers understand the average household’s

Editorial

Internet restrictions
Updated 23 Dec, 2024

Internet restrictions

Notion that Pakistan enjoys unprecedented freedom of expression difficult to reconcile with the reality of restrictions.
Bangladesh reset
23 Dec, 2024

Bangladesh reset

THE vibes were positive during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent meeting with Bangladesh interim leader Dr...
Leaving home
23 Dec, 2024

Leaving home

FROM asylum seekers to economic migrants, the continuing exodus from Pakistan shows mass disillusionment with the...
Military convictions
Updated 22 Dec, 2024

Military convictions

Pakistan’s democracy, still finding its feet, cannot afford such compromises on core democratic values.
Need for talks
22 Dec, 2024

Need for talks

FOR a long time now, the country has been in the grip of relentless political uncertainty, featuring the...
Vulnerable vaccinators
22 Dec, 2024

Vulnerable vaccinators

THE campaign to eradicate polio from Pakistan cannot succeed unless the safety of vaccinators and security personnel...