ISLAMABAD: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Justice (retd) Fakhruddin G. Ibrahim on Wednesday said that delimitation of the constituencies should not be conducted until a new census is held in the country, BBC reported.

The chief election commissioner was speaking during a press conference after meeting with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani who visited Nadra headquarters in Islamabad.

According to some media outlets, the army chief assured the CEC his full support in conducting door-to-door verification of voters in Karachi as ordered by the Supreme Court.

Speaking during the press conference, Ibrahim said that in his personal opinion once delimitation is conducted after the census, then delimiting those constituencies again without holding a new census is “pointless.”

“I think delimitation has been done accordingly after the census….we should accept this….it’s not a time for new delimitation until a census is held again,” he said.

The CEC said that all political parties belonging not only to Karachi but through out Sindh were consulted in this regard and the decision would be taken in accordance with the written suggestions they have been asked to submit.

He reiterated the election would be held in time and said that speculations regarding delay in polls should be stopped.

Ibrahim further said that free, fair and transparent elections are vital for the country, adding that instead of hatching conspiracies and conflicts, political parties should go to the masses. He also appealed to the public that they use their right of vote as a priority.

Justice (retd ) Ibrahim said restoration of peace is vital for conducting impartial elections and added the army chief has reassured him of complete cooperation in this regard.

It is pertinent to mention that on Nov 26, a five-member bench of the apex court had observed that constituencies in Karachi should be delimited in a manner that they comprise “mixed population” to avoid political polarisation.

And later on Dec 20, The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) had virtually isolated itself from other political parties when it opposed the issue at a meeting the Election Commission had convened in this regard.