PTI demands Election Commission to resign

On Monday, Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood, along with other ministers, told a press conference that "this cannot work in the current situation, so he should resign."

Shafqat Mahmood added, "We are proposing what is best for the country and democracy. The Election Commission has completely failed."

He further said, "We are proposing a political solution and we do not intend to go to the Supreme Court against the Election Commission,”. No political party in Pakistan is happy with the results of the Senate elections, adding that whatever transpired during the recently-held polls is a result of the ECP's 'failure', he added.

Replying a question regarding the new elections, Shafqat Mahmood said, "There will be by-elections in future which must be trusted."

He ruled out early general elections, saying "general elections will be held in two and a half years."

"It was a longstanding demand of the prime minister that the power of money should not be used to influence elections," said Education Minister Shafqat Mehmood, flanked by information minister Shibli Faraz and Fawad Chaudhry. "For this purpose, the premier wanted the Senate elections to be held via an open ballot."

Mehmood said it is the sole responsibility of the ECP to ensure transparent polls are held. He said that the government had told the ECP to implement a system wherein it would not be possible for corrupt practices to take place.

The minister called on the election commission to be disbanded, alleging that it had failed to meet up to the standards required of it.

"To ensure transparent elections are held is the responsibility of the election commission. This responsibility was not fulfilled," he said. "The election commission failed to act as a neutral umpire hence it should resign," added Mehmood.

Explaining the government's demand for the ECP to be disbanded, Mehmood said the PTI was the most popular political party in the country yet it did not have confidence in the ECP. He claimed the ruling party was not the only one which didn't trust the ECP.

"If you ask other parties, even they don't have confidence in the ECP," he said. "The ECP should collectively resign and a new commission should be made which enjoys the trust of all parties."

"The chief election commissioner and his members [of the ECP] should resign," added the minister.