ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday denied issuing any statement to media about holding by polls in case of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) quitting the assemblies.
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Media reports earlier today had suggested that the Election Commission was ready to hold by-elections should PTI quits all provincial assemblies.
PTI Chairman Imran Khan on November 26 had announced not to remain the part of current system anymore and decided to quit from all provincial assemblies at a date to be announced later with the consultation of parliamentary parties.
The announcement triggered a political storm with leaders from various parties and walks of life speculating about the probable scenario after PTI opts to go out of the provincial assemblies.
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PMLN leaders including Maryam Nawaz and Rana Sanaullah, as well as PPP leader Latif Khosa had on record challenged PTI to dissolve Punjab and KP assembles if it sincerely wanted to go for general elections.
However, after November 26 announcement by Imran Khan, Rana Sanaullah was quick to take a U-turn and said not only the dissolution of provincial assemblies would be foiled, but no-trust move would be tabled against CMs in Punjab and KP.
A few media outlets on Monday started circulating news, attributed to the spokesperson of ECP, that it was ready to hold by-elections on the vacant seats if the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) implemented its strategy to resign from all assemblies.
Media channels went to the extent of airing news about the cost of by-elections as well. Some TV reports quoted ECP spokesperson as saying that elections would be held only in provinces where assemblies were dissolved, and that the move could not lead to general elections in the country.
“We will hold by-elections on the vacant seats if PTI MPAs resign from the assemblies,” the spokesperson was quoted by TV channels, adding that the cost of holding election in an provincial constituency would stand between Rs50 million to Rs70 million, and that the total cost of elections for Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies would stand around Rs22 billion.
However, the ECP through its spokesperson issued a statement in Urdu, denying any such statement. Giving clarification, the ECP said it had only answered a few questions to a journalist which were quoted out of context and a news-hype was generated.
