Chief Election Commissioner resigns amid poll rigging allegations
Wednesday, July 31st, 2013 5:18:16 by Tahir Khan
The Chief Election Commissioner, Fakhruddin G Ebrahim Wednesday resigned amid continued allegations of rigging in the May 11 general elections.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) said that Ebrahim has sent his resignation to the President. Copy of the letter was released to the media by the ECP spokesman.
Ebarhim, a former senior judge, was appointed in July last year with rare consensus between the then government and the opposition, supervised the general elections and Presidential elections on Tuesday.
The resignation has been sent to the president for approval.
“I was appointed through a consultative process by the last Parliament. My constitutional
term ends in 2017. However, in my humble opinion, the newly elected members of Parliament should have the opportunity to forge new consensus and choose a new Chief Election Commissioner,” Ebrahim said in his letter.
He said his resignation will also allow the next Chief Election Commissioner sufficient time and opportunity to prepare and lead the Election Commission for the general elections of 2018.
“Therefore I hereby resign from the office of the Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan,” he said.
Opposition parties claim that the general elections were rigged, the claim categorically denied by the Election Commission.
On Tuesday, a senior opposition leader Imran Khan, again alleged that the Election Commission and the judiciary were responsible for the rigging.
Ebrahim paid homage to those political leaders and activists who were killed in the militant attacks during the election campaign.
“Too many have fallen at the hands of terrorists – political workers, teachers, lawyers, journalists, members of police and armed forces, government servants and ordinary men and women have all paid a high price. These are the true heroes of our democratic struggle,” he said.
He also pointed out that the Election Commission has acted without fear or favor and strived to create as level a playing field as was possible.
“Despite personal threats and even brazen gun attack on my family – I quietly stood firm against those forces who first tried to derail and then delay the 2013 Elections,” Ebrahim said.
Tags: Chief Election Commissioner, Fakhruddin G Ebrahim, Imran Khan
Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=41083
Posted by Tahir Khan
on Jul 31 2013. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan, Politics.
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Fakhruddin Ebrahim is a man of impeccable reputation and has been all his life. By accepting the position of CEC at this age, he has a blemish on his otherwise untainted integrity. He allowed the ECP to be hijacked by some corrupt officials who were involved in massive (alleged) rigging in general elections. Also, not standing his ground before the Supreme Court about the date he had announced earlier for Presidential elections, he damaged the integrity and independence of ECP.
However, he must not leave before completion of by-elections, otherwise, he will hand over the ECP to same officials who were allegedly involved in rigging earlier. He should stay and complete inquiry into rigging and make sure he leaves with a clean record.
He was the part of PML-N e strategy and now he resigned after get his job done by conducting unfair elections. He particularly did not allow army to play any role in the last elections so that PML-N can cheat. I have firm believe that you have to pay very heavy price for this cheating with nation in your life and after.