Fakhruddin G Ibrahim speaks out about poll objections

ISLAMABAD: Former Supreme Court judge and Chief Election Commissioner Fakhruddin G Ibrahim on Friday finally responded to reservations and objections over the credibility of last year's general election held under his supervision.

In an interview with senior journalist Mazhar Abbas, Ibrahim also appealed to political leaders to show restraint and not let democracy be derailed.

He said that he was under no pressure by then chief justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.

Responding to a question, he said that voters’ verification was not possible for the electoral body due to dearth of resources.

He said he had requested then army chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani to post an officer at each police station but probably the army chief found the idea unfeasible.

Fakhruddin G Ibrahim said it had been good if three things would have been different in 2013 election: big scope of army role than the institution was assigned in the polls, phase to phase election, and quick decisions on appointment of sitting judges in election tribunals.

Ibrahim was appointed after through consultation between the government and the opposition as per Constitutional requirement while to some extent other political stake holders and political parties also supported his appointment on the coveted post.