RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior leader Asad Umar has showed his concerns over the electoral reforms by raising a question “who will conduct the next general elections”.

Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, he said the people have lost confidence in the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). “After the 2013 elections, the ECP should have gained the confidence of all political stakeholders,” he added.

Referring to the NA-120 by-elections, he believed it was an important election, so it should be fair and transparent. But he did not see it happening since in his opinion the ECP had failed to establish its writ.

He warned if the impartial electoral reforms are not carried out then the PTI might launch a movement.

He lambasted the government for filing cases against artists for singing anti-government songs and filing a reference against a judge who gave a verdict against Nawaz Sharif. “Institutions that do not support the rulers are labeled as ‘anti-democracy’. It is an irony that anti-democrats are taking about democracy,” he added. He was of the opinion that after the NAB reference the Sharif family will apply for bails. “Names of the Sharif family should be put on the exit control list as they have a history of fleeing the country after making a deal,” he added.

Dr Yasmin Rashid, a candidate for NA-120 by polls, said they have not received an updated voter lists. “The PTI has submitted five petitions to the ECP, but have yet to receive a reply after the passage of 10 days,” she added.

She alleged that a person namely Tanvir Butt is busy in preparing his own voters list. She also claimed that the government was violating the election code of conduct by carrying out development work.

PTI senior leader Shafqat Mahmood maintained that the next general elections will not be acceptable if the electoral system is not reformed.