–ECP terms between armed forces, ROs not made public, former Senate chairman points out
ISLAMABAD: Former Senate chairman Mian Raza Rabbani on Wednesday questioned the performance of the caretaker government in the wake of attacks and threats to candidates, highlighting its role to make the general elections free and fair.
In a recent press statement, Rabbani said the “caretaker government has failed to take any practical steps” despite the attacks on processions and party offices of various candidates as well as the threats received by contesting candidates. He called these events a curtain raiser for the polls.
He condemned the threats received by some contesting candidates which were informed to the federal government by National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA). “Campaigning without let or hindrances is a major issue,” he said.
ROLE OF ARMED FORCES:
Rabbani also raised concerns over the fact that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) hadn’t made public the terms under which the armed forces were asked to assist the returning offices (ROs). He stressed, “The Election Commission has also not made public the terms under which the Armed Forces of Pakistan have been asked to assist the Returning Offices in maintaining a peaceful atmosphere at the polling stations on polling day.”
He warned all stakeholders that the delay in elections due to any reason would weaken the state. He stressed, “Let it will be a warning to all stakeholders that any delay in elections under any pretext or any engineering of the election result will cast dark shadows over the Federation.”