Qadri calls for formation of ‘impartial’ election commission

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Chief of the Tehrik-i-Minhajul Quran (TMQ) Dr Tahirul Qadri.—File Photo

LAHORE: Two days before his party marches on Islamabad for electoral reforms in Pakistan,Tahirul Qadri, chief of the Tehrik-i-Minhajul Quran (TMQ), has called for the Election Commission of Pakistan to be dissolved and a new "impartial commission" to be formed.

Speaking at a press conference in Lahore on Saturday, Qadri announced his charter of demands before the upcoming general elections. Qadri said that the charter consists of seven points out of which one will be announced today and the rest will be revealed in Islamabad.

Among his demands, Qadri called for the formation of an impartial election commission to be formed in place of the current ECP.

Qadri said that apart from the chief election commissioner, all four heads of the provincial commissions were politically appointed by the provincial administrations.

He said CEC Fakhruddin G Ebrahim was an honest man, however, he would not be able to conduct impartial elections due to his old age.

The TMQ chief further demanded that polls be held according to Articles 62, 63 and 218 of the Constitution.

He said the people would not accept elections if they are not held under these articles.

Qadri added that the door for negotiations was never closed, however, final negotiations would only be held in front of millions of people in Islamabad. He vowed that the long march would start from Data Darbar in Lahore and would take place as planned in spite of all hindrances.

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