SLAMABAD, April 7: President Asif Ali Zardari has said that the behaviour of Returning Officers (ROs) and the Election Commission (ECP) in the the scrutiny of election candidates was inappropriate, DawnNews reported.
He said that despite Ros and ECP’s behaviour he has chosen to stay quiet, so that the caretaker government can facilitate the elections in a credible environment. President Zardari said the elections will be held on time and that there should be no doubt at all on this issue. The president met with Governor Sindh Ishratul Ibad Khan and Caretaker Sindh Chief Minister Justice (retd) Zahid Qurban Alvi, after which ministers in the provincial caretaker govt also met him.
The president stated during the meeting that he will stay quiet on the ROs and ECP issue, so that the task of the caretaker setup is made easier and democracy in the country is allowed to progress forward. He said that once the caretaker government has facilitated elections in the country, responsibility will be transferred to the incoming democratically elected government.
After the meeting, Sindh’s Caretaker Information Minister Noorul Huda Shah said that instructions have been given to make sure that the elections are held on time. Shah said that putting police officers on six-hour duty during election day, was also discussed during the meeting. The provincial Caretaker Finance Minister Shabbar Raza while speaking to DawnNews said that President Zardari approved special budget for the police to provide for security in the province, especially Karachi.