ISLAMABAD: Former Senate chairman Raza Rabbani on Tuesday wrote letters to key constitutional functionaries suggesting that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) secretary should be summoned to the Committee of the Whole to enlighten the committee on the international conspiracy regarding the upcoming general elections.

On Monday, ECP Secretary Babar Yaqoob, while briefing the Senate Standing Committee on Interior, said that according to his assessment, attempts can be made — at the international level — to sabotage the upcoming general elections. He also claimed that he was ready to share the details during an in-camera briefing.

In the letter, Senator Rabbani stated that the national print media had attributed a statement to the ECP secretary during a meeting of Senate committee where he said efforts could be made at the international level to sabotage the election but it would not be appropriate to give details.

Says notice should be taken of secretary’s claim about international conspiracy against elections

Copies of the letter have been sent to the prime minister, the nominated caretaker prime minister, Senate chairman, National Assembly speaker, leader of the House in Senate Raja Zafarul Haq and leader of the Opposition in Senate Sherry Rehman.

Mr Rabbani said that Mr Yaqoob’s statement cast doubts on holding the elections within 60 days. He added that it also had serious and far reaching consequences and repercussions as the secretary had referred to an international conspiracy. Therefore, in the circumstances, as a member of the only functional House of Parliament, he called upon to either persuade the government to summon a session of the Senate immediately or call meeting of the committee of the whole.

He stated that the ECP secretary should be summoned to the committee, proceedings of which may be held in-camera so that the secretary can enlighten the committee on the international conspiracy.

Meanwhile, the ECP spokesperson explained that the secretary had identified security issues. He said that the elections could only be held peacefully if all security and administrative departments would fulfil their responsibility.

Published in Dawn, May 30th, 2018