The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday accepted the written apologies tendered by Railways Minister Azam Swati and Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry.
The apologies were accepted by a two-member ECP bench, headed by Nisar Ahmed Durrani.
Both federal ministers had reportedly accused the commission and chief election commissioner of accepting bribe and taking side of the opposition parties. The commission had taken serious notice of the allegations and asked the ministers to prove their accusations.
During the hearing on December 3, Swati and Fawad had submitted their written apologies. However, Swati had skipped the hearing and failed to appear before the commission as his lawyer had submitted an apology on his behalf.
The ECP had objected to it, saying all institutions should respect each other, and summoned Swati on December 22 in person. It had reserved its verdict on Fawad’s written apology as well.
During the hearing on Wednesday, Swati appeared before the commission and said he has always raised his voice to make the ECP an independent institution.
While talking to the media after the hearing, Swati thanked the ECP for accepting his apology and said that the government wants to make the Election Commission of Pakistan as an independent institution. He heralded that the ECP is going to make good decisions regarding the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
ECP summons meeting to discuss EVMs:
According to a news outlet, the ECP has summoned a meeting of its technical committee on Thursday to discuss the possible inclusion of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and extending voting rights to overseas Pakistanis in the next general election.
Reportedly, the meeting will be chaired by the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja and the expansion of EVMs and prospects of voting procedure through the technology will be decided in the light of the recommendations by the committee.
Voters’ verification process extended till Dec 31:
Meanwhile, the ECP extended door-to-door voters’ verification process pertaining to the electoral lists 2021-22 for 10 days in the interest of public service.
According to ECP’s press release, December 21 was the last date of the verification campaign, which has been extended till December 31 so that a large number of people can register their votes.
ECP has also extended SMS 8300 service till December 31 and made it free for facilitation of people.
