The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has escalated its demands for the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja, citing alleged failures in ensuring free, fair, and transparent general elections in 2024. Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, representing the PTI, voiced the party’s concerns after meeting with party founder Imran Khan at Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail.
In a press briefing, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan emphasized the need for impartial inquiries into election discrepancies and insisted that election results accurately reflect the public mandate. The PTI representative also underscored the importance of adhering to electoral protocols, particularly the issuance of election results in accordance with Form 45, amidst allegations of discrepancies based on Form 47.
The PTI’s demands for CEC Raja’s resignation come in the wake of shocking revelations made by former Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatha, who confessed to involvement in rigging during the 2024 general elections. Chatha’s disclosure, implicating the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, has intensified the controversy surrounding the contested polls.
While the ECP swiftly refuted Chatha’s allegations, emphasizing the absence of any directive from the commission to alter election outcomes, the developments have heightened scrutiny over the electoral process’s integrity. Liaquat Ali Chatha’s subsequent transfer and the appointment of Saif Anwar Jappa as the new head of Rawalpindi Development Authority have added to the intrigue surrounding the situation.
Barrister Gohar Ali Khan reiterated the PTI’s stance, highlighting the potential ramifications of “non-transparent” elections on Pakistan’s international commitments, including its relationship with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Khan emphasized the imperative for CEC Raja’s resignation to ensure an impartial inquiry into the alleged irregularities surrounding the February 8 elections, advocating for a non-controversial investigation process.
The PTI’s demands underscore the deepening political turmoil and growing calls for accountability within Pakistan’s electoral framework. As the nation grapples with allegations of electoral malpractice and institutional challenges, the spotlight remains on ensuring transparency, fairness, and adherence to democratic principles in the electoral process.
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