Islamabad (Web Desk): The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday dismissed the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Bar Council's statement regarding reduction of National Assembly seats in the province.
The ECP termed the statement as baseless and contrary to facts as well as an attempt to create confusion in the minds of the people.
In a statement, an ECP spokesman clarified that, in 2018, the 25th constitutional amendment merged the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
It added that 12 National Assembly seats of FATA were abolished and instead six seats of the Lower House were reserved for that area.
The ECP added that those six seats were added to KP's quota, raising the province's representation from 39 to 45 seats in the National Assembly.
Similarly, 16 general seats were increased in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly after which the number of seats surged from 99 to 115.
The ECP made it clear that increasing or decreasing seats of national and provincial assemblies is not possible without amending the Constitution, which is a sole prerogative of the Parliament.
The statement said that the ECP is performing its duties according to the constitution and law without any pressure.
Regarding another matter, the ECP also made it clear that it takes all decisions with mutual consultation and as per law.
It said all the four members of the commission has reposed their unwavering trust in the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and reiterated that all the decisions, taken so far, by the commission were made with mutual consultation.
The electoral body further said that seats quota of all the districts was also decided with mutual consent and in view of the legal requirements.
It said that the objections regarding District Hafizabad were also decided by the five-member bench of the commission with complete harmony.