The Secretary Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Ishtiaq Ahmed Khan has resigned from the office in protest against what he says Election Commission's failure to provide protection to its staff during by-polls in a constituency of Sindh. Ahmed told media persons in Supreme Court Friday after he appeared before a three-member bench in a suo motu case relating to Pakistan People's Party (PPP) candidate Waheeda Shah who slapped an ECP official on the polling day.
In an emotionally-charged voice, said he had quit the office a day ago (Thursday). The Supreme on Court Friday said the ECP and police failed to take immediate action against Waheeda Shah on February 25. Khan added that he had decided to resign from his post and had sent his resignation to the Chief Election Commissioner on Thursday (March 1), adding the post was a burden on him and that he had informed the government regarding his decision. However, the sources said that Khan's resignation was not accepted by the ECP and the Prime Minister.
While referring to Waheeda Shah case, Khan said misbehaving with polling staff could lead to a three-month imprisonment after a summary trial, which would be held at ECP Karachi office on Saturday (today). He said the officer on duty at the polling station where the incident took place had committed negligence, adding that the police failed to provide security to polling staff. According to him, the police were found reluctant to register a case against Waheeda Shah in time. However, he added, that the ECP earlier withheld the result of by-election of PS-53, and a case was registered against Waheeda Shah on the directives of the ECP.
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