Elections will be held on Feb 8 come what may: interior minister

ISLAMABAD: Interim Interior Minister Gohar Ejaz confirmed that the general election in the country will be held on February 8 regardless of any unforeseen circumstances.

Speaking to the media following a high-level meeting convened by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to assess the law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, Ejaz stated,

“Elections are on February 8 and there should be no doubt about the election date.” He assured that both the ECP and the caretaker government are committed to ensuring the smooth conduct of elections on February 8.

An important meeting of the ECP on security in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan was convened under the chair of Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja.

The meeting was attended by inspector-generals (IGs), chief secretaries of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, Cartetaker Federal Minister for Interior Gohar Ejaz and Interior Secretary Aftab Durrani.

The ECP meeting was convened in response to the killing of a candidate in Bajaur Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and sabotahe incidents in Balochistan.

The meeting extensively discussed the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, and reports were sought from the relevant agencies regarding the security conditions in both provinces.

Earlier, the Chief Election Commissioner had stated that there was no possibility of postponing the elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan

Sources said that during the meeting the Election Commission of Pakistan directed to ensure the security of the candidates during their election campaign.

According to the sources, the ECP said that those candidates who receive threats should inform the police before holding rallies and processions.

During the meeting it was suggested to suspend mobile phone and internet service in sensitive areas and polling stations on February 8.