Asghar Khan case: ECP can't act against accused politicians, says CEC

ISLAMABAD: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Fakhruddin G Ebrahim said that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) cannot take action against the accused politicians in the Asghar Khan case as there is no constitutional provision in this regard, Geo News reported Monday.
While talking to the media in Islamabad, Fakhruddin G Ibrahim said that Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has assured him of appointing district returning officers in the upcoming elections.
When asked about Rehman Malik’s disqualification in the dual nationality case, the Election Commissioner told that the ECP can take action against the minister only after receiving the reference from the Senate chairman.
According to a press release by the Supreme Court, the CEC requested the Chief Justice to include the district courts in the general election process. The CEC informed the Chief Justice that there is positive opinion to appoint sessions judges as returning officers.
The Chief Justice informed the CEC that the national judicial policy did not allow district courts to be involved in the election process and the reason to separate the judiciary from the elections is to avoid allegations of corruption.