ISLAMABAD: An Election Commission official has said that no MNA is required to quit his National Assembly seat during the hearing of petitions about electoral rigging.

Commenting on Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan’s call for resignation of National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq till a decision on a petition about alleged rigging in his constituency in last year’s general election, he said on Wednesday: “No law exists [that calls for] such resignations.”

If anyone quit his NA seat, the Election Commission of Pakistan was bound to hold bye-election within 60 days, he added.

Referring to Mr Khan’s demand for verification of votes in some constituencies, he said the issue could be resolved only by election tribunals.

Imran wants NA speaker to resign for verification of votes in his constituency

As per law and the Constitution, the official explained, verification and recount of ballots could only be ordered by election tribunals.

“Whatever the decision of an election tribunal, the Election Commission of Pakistan will implement it without any delay.”

Published in Dawn, July 24th , 2014