Speaking at a press conference in the federal capital on Saturday, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leaders regretted that they did not want to resort to protests but fair and transparent local government elections were not possible under current provincial members of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
PPP Vice President Senator Sherry Rehman said that all four provincial election commissioners should have resigned immediately after the 2013 general elections.
Vowing to withdraw all PPP candidates for the upcoming LG poll if provincial election commissioners remain on their posts, PPP Punjab chief Manzoor Wattoo said the party held dialogue on seat-adjustment with all political parties except the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
Wattoo alleged that his party leaders were being “politically victimized” in Sindh and Punjab. He condemned such actions from the federal institutions. “We fully support Operation Zarb-e-Azb,” he added.
Speaking on the occasion, former Punjab governor Latif Khosa said that democratic spirit would be hurt without true reflection of public vote. He also linked PPP’s participation in LG elections to resignations of ECP officials.