The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has appointed a new provincial election commissioner in Sindh with immediate effect on Friday. The development comes just days ahead of the expected announcement of the schedule for general elections which are set to take place on February 8 next year. According to the ECP notification, Aijaz Ahmed Chohan, provincial election commissioner of Sindh, was transferred and posted to Balochistan. He will replace Sharifullah, who will now take over as election commissioner of Sindh. On Thursday, The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) firmly denied the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman’s allegations of holding the ECP responsible for the election postponement, stating it as an unsuccessful attempt to mislead the public. The ECP spokesman stated in a release that the Commission cannot be blamed for the present circumstances. After examining PTI’s challenge to the appointment of District Returning Officers (DROs), Returning Officers (ROs) and the subsequent suspension of their appointment by the Lahore High Court (LHC), the Commission deliberated on the situation in depth.

It has now resolved to formulate a future action plan to address the circumstances. The ECP spokesman confirmed that all preparations for the February 8 election were finalized. The appointment of District Returning Officers and Returning Officers was completed, and their training sessions commenced nationwide. This is crucial before announcing the election schedule so that the DROs, ROs and others can promptly issue and receive nomination papers and fulfill other related responsibilities. Earlier, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Gohar Ali Khan said that upcoming general elections cannot be delayed over LHC verdict regarding returning officers (ROs). Addressing a press conference, PTI chief Gohar Ali Khan said that his party has been campaigning for timely elections from day first. He demanded that the Returning Officers (ROs) shall be selected from the civil judges or sessions judges.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)