ISLAMABAD – Federal Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry on Tuesday apologised to the Election Commission of Pakistan for his scathing remarks against the top election body and its chief.
In September, ECP issued notices to Federal Minister for Railways Azam Khan Swati and Fawad Chaudhry over their remarks on the electoral body for its objection to the use of EVMs in the next general elections.
The ECP had also sought evidence from Azam Swati and Fawad Chaudhry after they levelled allegations against the election commission in a press conference.
During a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Parliamentary Affairs, Azam Swati had accused the election commission of taking bribes from the companies to manufacture electronic voting machines.
“ECP has taken a bribe,” Azam Swati had alleged. “You will go to hell,” he said, pointing to ECP officials who were in attendance in the meeting called to deliberate and vote on two key bills on the use of electronic voting machines in elections and voting rights for overseas Pakistanis.
Later the same day, Fawad Chaudhry while criticizing Chief Election Commissioner Sikander Sultan Raja during a press conference had said that it seems the ECP has become the headquarters for opposition parties and the chief election commissioner is acting as their mouthpiece.
During today’s hearing, the information minister told a two-member bench comprising ECP members Nisar Ahmed Durrani and Shah Mohammad Jatoi that the case should be ended.
“I am a spokesperson of the government. I did not curse anyone. Accept my apology,” he told the ECP members.
The ECP directed him to submit a written apology as well.
Meanwhile, Swati’s counsel asked the ECP bench to give more time to submit reply in the case. He said that the railways minister could not appear for the hearing due to engagement at Senate.
The ECP warned that Swati will be indicted in the next hearing where he submits a reply or not. The case was adjourned till December 3.
Read more: https://pakobserver.net/ecp-gives-fawad-swati-3-weeks-to-reply/
