PESHAWAR: The provincial chapter of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf has called upon the Election Commission of Pakistan to provide a ‘level playing field’ to all political parties in the upcoming general elections.

PTI provincial president Ali Amin Khan Gandapur has sent a letter to chief election commissioner (CEC) that has been signed by 52 former MPAs of the party to make the demand.

The letter says that PTI remains the single largest political party of Pakistan despite all the government’s efforts to undercut and undermine its popularity.

“Through this letter, we believe it is our constitutional duty to remind the worthy ECP of its pivotal role as defined in the Constitution to ensure free and fair elections in the province and in the country,” it says.

Writes letter to ECP to regret delay in announcing date for elections in KP

The letter says that regrettably, the events that have unfolded since the dissolution of the KP Assembly have raised serious concerns about the fair play and impartiality of the electoral watchdog.

It regrets the delay in announcing a date for elections in KP and lack of proactive action by ECP in response to allegations of political interference and malpractices in the electoral process.

“The conduct of KP caretaker government from its inception has raised serious concerns about its impartiality and intentions towards PTI. This is evident not only its public pressers and statements but also from the very composition of the entire cabinet, which consists almost exclusively of nominees from parties of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) and their allies like PPP and ANP,” says the letter.

It says that this admission, along with the blatant interference and alleged corruption by the office of the governor, is made by the representatives of these parties (ANP, PPP and PML-N) during talk shows on live television.

The letter has alleged that caretaker ministers have openly campaigned against PTI, compromising the level playing field necessary in the caretaker government for it to have the credibility to hold free and fair elections.

“The specific aim of the campaign has been an unprecedented effort to break the party and change the loyalties of every PTI parliamentarian by any means possible,” it says.

As a result, the rights of PTI members and supporters have been trampled upon and a barrage of unjust actions, including arbitrary arrests, raids without warrants, closure of businesses, registration of fake and politically-motivated cases, and even the harassment of party members and their families, have been taking place, it adds.

“It is unprecedented in the history of this province, and completely against its social values,” says the letter. It adds that these actions not only contravene the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan but also violate the principles of democracy and justice.

“I must stress again that the Election Commission of Pakistan has a solemn duty to act impartially and proactively in addressing any violation of the Constitution and the Election Act, 2017,” states the letter.

It says that ECP’s inaction or lack of timely response to these grievances has allowed a minefield of obstacles to be placed before PTI, while other political parties enjoy a smooth playing field.

As the guardian of democracy, it is incumbent upon the Election Commission to ensure that all political parties including PTI are provided a level playing field, devoid of political interference albeit engineering orchestrated by outside forces and undue advantage for any party, it says.

“Failure to uphold this constitutional mandate risks undermining the very essence of democracy in our great nation,” says the letter.

Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2023