Govt not to disband ECP, nor remove CEC: Farooq Naek

KARACHI: Federal Minister for Law Farooq H Naek Sunday said that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had been formed in the light of the Constitution, therefore, neither the body would be dissolved nor the Chief Election Commissioner removed.

Talking to media persons here, the Law Minister said giving the date of the next general elections is the President's discretion and he (President) would himself make the announcement to this effect.

He said the President would dissolve the assemblies on the advice of the Prime Minister. "Announcing the date of elections is the President's discretion; he would himself make the announcement," he added.

He said that the ECP has been constituted in compliance with the Constitution, and therefore, neither the ECP can be dissolved nor the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) be removed.

Farooq H Naek said that a consensus of the four provincial chief ministers was mandatory to hold both (national and provincial) elections on the same day.

He further said that the prime minister and leader of the opposition would hold consultations for the caretaker set up.