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ECP accepts written apologies submitted by Azam Swati, Fawad Chaudhry

ISLAMABAD, Dec 22 (SABAH): The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday accepted the written apologies submitted by Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry and Minister for Railways Senator Muhammad Azam Khan Swati.

The ECP held a hearing on the allegations of bribery made by Swati against the electoral watchdog with the minister present at the hearing.

During the hearing, member Sindh Nisar Ahmed Durrani called the minister a “busy man” and questioned why he did not appear before the commission earlier. “You have more responsibility, all the institutions come under you,” he said, adding that accusing them was not right.

Azam Swati maintained that he has always raised his voice for making the ECP independent, adding that he does not want any gulf between the government and the commission.

The minister further stated that the ECP must be strengthened in every way possible for “transparent” elections.

Swati’s lawyer, Senator Barrister Syed Ali Zafar said that it is the electoral watchdog’s job to hold fair and transparent elections.

“They [the ministers] have apologised for what happened in the past. It is the responsibility of the citizens to apologise before the Election Commission,” he added.

The ECP accepted the apologies of the federal ministers and directed the two to be cautious in the future.

Azam Swati thanked ECP for accepting his apology and said that the incumbent government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) will support in strengthening the commission. We want to see ECP independent, he added.

The minister further expressed hope that ECP will take relevant decisions in the wake of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) use.

Barrister Ali Zafar said it was the responsibility of every individual to uphold the dignity of the electoral body. “We have apologised in connection to whatever happened in the past,” he said.

Earlier this year, the ECP summoned Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry and Railways Minister Azam Swati after their statements against the electoral watchdog.

Last month, Fawad apologised to the ECP for his statements against the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and the commission.

The apology came during a hearing regarding the issue of allegations levelled by him and Azam Khan Swati against the CEC and the ECP.