The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) responded to the PTI’s assertion that its chairman, former prime minister Imran Khan, is a “Prisoner of Conscience” by stating that Imran is behind bars due to charges in multiple instances, one of which involves the improper use of a diplomatic cipher.

The PTI’s 24-point Charter of Demand said, “Former PM & Chairman Imran Khan is currently incarcerated as a Prisoner of Conscience.”

The PTI Secretary General, Omar Ayub Khan, sent the charter to the ECP on November 6.

The ECP responded curtly to all 24 points of the charter on November 22, saying, among other things, that “Former PM & Chairman Imran Khan is in jail in different cases including [the] cypher case.”

A “Prisoner of Conscience” is a person incarcerated for having political or religious beliefs that are illegal in the state in which they reside.

The PTI asserted that, as a political organization, it is being victimized and persecuted. However, the ECP disclaimed any accountability in this matter by declaring that “it has no role” in the alleged victimization.

In response to the PTI’s allegation that its leaders were forced to give interviews and statements critical of the party and to break away from it, the ECP restated the “no-role” declaration.

The body in charge of overseeing elections made it clear that it was powerless to stop any political figure from joining or quitting a party.

In response to the party’s allegation that it was not receiving a level playing field, the ECP stated that it had previously given instructions to all caretaker governments to ensure that everyone had access to one.

The ECP claimed that the Supreme Court had considered the matter when the PTI brought up the fact that the general elections were not happening within the 90-day window allowed by the constitution. The ECP stated that, in accordance with the court’s ruling, it had decided to hold elections on February 8, 2024, consulting with the president.

The ECP simply reiterated that it had already given instructions to the caretaker governments and that “the PTI should come up with specific and concrete proposals/evidence” in support of its claims when the PTI claimed that the caretaker governments were actively involved in pre-poll rigging against the PTI.

In the final month of the previous administration, the PTI informed the ECP that Rs51 billion had been released by the previous government for its MNAs’ development projects.

However, the ECP pointed out that prior to the assembly’ breakup, the plans had been approved and funding had been disbursed.

Fund transfers to provisional governments were deemed unlawful by the PTI.

In response, the ECP said that it has already given the caretaker governments the necessary instructions and directives in this regard.

The PTI had pleaded with the ECP to direct the appropriate authorities to grant the party permission to hold political gatherings.

“All political parties will be provided with a level-playing field during the forthcoming elections,” was the ECP’s response.

The PTI had noted that while the ANP was granted permission to host a meeting in Hangu recently and that 183 security officers guarded the demonstration, the PTI was refused permission to organize a political gathering that day under the guise of inadequate protection.

The irony that 283 police officers were employed to baton-charge the PTI employees that day was brought to light. But according to the ECP, it “will ensure” that public gatherings and demonstrations by all political parties “will be” permitted.

The PTI had objected to a convicted and absconding prisoner being granted unusual protocol and authority to hold public meetings, without mentioning PML-N supreme leader Nawaz Sharif.

The ECP reaffirmed that they will address the matter.

The PTI had stated, “Manufacturers are not allowed to produce PTI materials [flags and materials].”
“The PTI should come up with specific and concrete evidence,” the ECP declared.

In response to the PTI’s request that the PML-N and other parties be granted the same amount of airtime as the PTI and Imran, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) stated that the issue will be discussed with the interim federal administration.

The ECP stated in the election timetable that it would be revealed following the release of the final constituency list.

The polling authority responded to the PTI’s claim that the ECP was using delimitation as a delay strategy by stating that it had to take into account the provisions of Articles 17, 218(3), 219, 222(b), 254 of the Constitution and Section 17(2) of the Elections Act, 2017.

It said, “The ECP unanimously decided to carry out delimitation of constituencies as mandated by law and the Constitution, after extensive deliberations on the matter under reference, under the advice of its legal experts/team, so that afterwards free, fair, transparent, and inclusive elections could be ensured.”

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