Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja has said that he hoped that the election process will be “free and fair” and will conclude safely. He stressed that shutting down or allowing internet and mobile services was beyond the ECP’s mandate.

“We have clarified multiple times that our system is not dependent on the internet — it will not affect our preparations,” he told the media outside the ECP office in Islamabad.

He further said that the ECP did not give any instructions to the interior ministry regarding internet services. “This is the decision of the law and order agencies. We can only give our recommendations,” he said.

“If we give them directions [to open mobile services] and if there is any incident, then who will be responsible?” he asked.