Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Secretary Ishtiaq Ahmad Khan said there are various dimensions to Karachi’s troubles that include law and order, political, administrative, and electoral dimensions.
Talking to a television channel, he said the political dimension includes differences between political parties.
He said the issue will be resolved by political forces and their mutual negotiations.
Regarding the administrative dimension, he said the law and order situation is related to the caretaker government, adding that it had not worsened during the last 50 days but had been inherited from the previous governments.
As for the electoral issue, Ishtiaq Ahmad said the ECP had informed the federal government and issued directives to provincial governments regarding law and order situation prior to elections.
He said a complete security plan was also made. Besides that, he said, all arrangement such as polling stations, polling staff, ballot papers and other polling equipment was made available for general election.
Responding to a question on re-polling in 43 polling stations of NA-250 Karachi, the ECP secretary said reports of irregularities were received by the commission and therefore it decided to hold polling again at those polling stations.
Replying to a question on some political parties boycotting the re-polling and validity of results, Ishtiaq Ahmad said there is no clause in the constitution that states results will be declared invalid if any person or political party boycotts the election.
Regarding MQM’s demand of re-polling in the entire constituency, he quoted the returning officer as saying that irregularities were committed only at 43 polling stations.
Karachi’s problems have various dimensions: ECP secy
