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| I want new parliament to elect new election commissioner, Fakhruddin |
ISLAMABAD: Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Fakhruddin G Ebrahim has resigned from his post amid continued calls of rigging and mismanagement of the elections, according to media reports.
His resignation has been sent to the president for approval which was confirmed by the Election Commission of Pakistan.
Fakhruddin G Ebrahim was appointed Chief Election Commissioner in July 2012, for five years, after a parliamentary panel selected him for the crucial post. He was the 24th individual to occupy the post after 12 permanent and 11 acting chief election commissioners.
Despite of that, Fakhruddin’s initial appointment was hailed across the entire political spectrum, as well as the legal fraternity and civil society, but following the May 11 elections, the PPP, PTI and other major political players said the commissioner and the ECP had failed to deliver “free and fair” elections in Pakistan.
Fakhruddin became more under pressure after recent Presidential elections, which were boycotted by PPP and her allied parties due to one sided change of schedule by supreme court. Some inner circles told media that he was not happy with supreme court’s decision which changed the schedule from 6 August to 30 July.
Fakhruddin wanted to set aside the decision, but due to his team members, who opposed the decision, he continued to conduct the presidential elections as set by supreme court.
Proceedings against Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudary are also sought for his alleged role in giving the one sided decision in favor of PML'N'.
"I want new parliament to elect new election commissioner, said Fakhruddin G Ebrahim on his resignation.