Action against Waheeda Shah not result of any pressure: ECP

ISLAMABAD: Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Saturday contradicted comments of a person passed in a TV programme that it has taken action against Syeda Waheeda Shah due to pressure of Supreme Court of Pakistan and media.

A guest commenting on the issue in the Talk-Show titled "Aapas-ki-Baat" telecast on March 7 said "The order passed by the ECP seemed to be result of pressure of the Supreme Court of Pakistan as it had taken suo moto notice of the incident of slapping of polling staff by Syeda Waheeda Shah, as well as the media, which highlighted the incident."

"The aforesaid view of the guest in the Talk Show is totally incorrect and unjustified," said a press release issued here today.

The ECP said it took action soon after the incident appeared in media about slapping the polling staff by one of the contesting candidates at polling station no. 16 of PS-53, Tando Muhammad Khan on February 25.

The incident got attention of three Members of the ECP namely former Justice Riaz Kayani, former Justice Shahzad Akbar Khan and former Justice Fazal-ur-Rehman, who immediately contacted with ECP Secretary, asking him to direct the concerned District Returning and Returning Officers through Provincial Election Commissioner, Sindh to take immediate cognizance of the matter under section 86 and 86A of the Representation of the people Act, 1976 and for submitting their reports.

The next day being a holiday (February 26), the aforesaid three Members of the ECP held a meting at the Head Office on February 27 and looking into the reports received from the Provincial Election Commissioner, District Returning Officer and Returning Officer.

In line with the reports, the ECP directed the concerned Returning Officer to take immediate notice of the incident under section 86A of the Act for alleged violation of the provision of section 86, besides, holding an inquiry and pass the orders within seven days after hearing 'the necessary parties.'

Further, the official results of the bye-election were withled till completion of the inquiry.

On the same day, the Chief Election Commissioner and Justice (R) Mohammad Roshan Essani, who were in Karachi, directed for registration of an FIR against Syed Waheeda Shah for the alleged offence in accordance with law.

Besides, on the complaint filed by Mushtaq Ali Talpur, another contesting candidate, notices were issued to the parties for appearing before the Commission on March 6 in Islamabad.

"It must be noted that all the aforementioned actions were taken by the ECP on its own and without any external pressure," it said.

On February 29, the Chief Justice of Pakistan took suo moto notice of the application of one Anita Turab and issued certain directions fixing the matter for hearing before Bench of the apex court on March 2. On the same date, the ECP representatives also appeared and apprised the court about action already taken by the commission.

"The subsequent events including the order, passed by the Returning Officer qua Magistrate first Class on March 5, holding Syeda Waheeda Shah guilty of the alleged offence and penalizing her in accordance with law; hearing the complaint of Mushtaq Talpur by the ECP on March 6 and passing the judgment upholding the decision of the Returning Officer and on the basis thereof disqualifying her for contesting future elections for two years and ordering holding of bye- election afresh in the said constituency."

It proves that the aforesaid actions taken by the ECP were the result of the application of law and conscience of the ECP without any pressure from any quarter.