ISLAMABAD - As political parties have been questioning the neutrality of the four members of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), Punjab ECP member Justice (r) Riaz Ahmed Kiani may tender resignation voluntarily, it has been learnt.
ECP officials close to Kiani, one of the most controversial members, has made his mind to quit following allegations by both Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan People's Party (PPP) as well as a retired officer of the commission, about his inclination towards a particular party.
Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly Khurshid Shah had recently urged the four members of the ECP to relinquish their positions voluntarily. Under the 18th (constitutional) Amendment, the Commission members can be dismissed only by Supreme Judicial Council.
Official sources said that since most of the complaints regarding rigging in last year general elections had been filed in Punjab, therefore, Mr Kiani had been facing tough time and pressure from all quarters.
"He (Mr Kiani) is winding up his official tasks on war footing. I think he has made up his mind to call it a day," a source close to him told The Nation.
On Thursday, PPP leader from Punjab Latif Khosa and Senator Farooq H Naik also demanded resignations of ECP members arguing that they were suspected of having political inclinations.
Former ECP additional secretary Afzal Khan, who also goes by the name Afzal Qaddafi, had squarely blamed Justice (r) Riaz Kiani for one of the many officers allegedly involved in rigging 2013 elections, an allegation Mr Kiani has brushed aside.
The 18th Amendment has given enormous powers to the four members ECP. Even Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) cannot remove them until a reference is filed in supreme judicial council.
Political leaders in the electoral reforms committee have been pondering ways to get rid of the members, besides discussing options to cut their tenures. According to officials in the ECP, the former CEC Fakhruddin G Ibrahim too was unhappy with the commission members.