Islamabad, May 5: Making public the apprehensions of the ruling PML-N over the alleged lack of transparency in the conduct of elections in Pakistan, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said their lack of evidence stems due to the upcoming polls being conducted by "aliens".

The term 'aliens' is a step ahead of "angels" or "invisible hands" used earlier in reference to the Army's intervention in the electoral process. Abbasi's remarks also comes a couple of days after ousted PM Nawaz Sharif made public his doubts over the neutrality of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

"Our contest is not with Pakistan Peoples Party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chairman Imran Khan but with the aliens," Nawaz said on Wednesday.

Continuing the tirade, Abbasi on Friday added, "Elections will be held by aliens, but even then we [Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz] will participate in it."

His comments drew flak from the polling body, which said such statements highlight contempt of the incumbent office bearers towards the Constitution of the nation.

Such "irresponsible statements" are based on rumours, said ECP spokesperson Altaf Khan, adding that a person who is designated as the Prime Minister should desist from making such remarks.

Polls for the Pakistan national assembly are likely to be conducted in July-August this year. The PML-N government, which was elected in 2013 with a full majority, is facing lack of trust among the electorate, the pre-poll surveys claimed. The government's image was hit after a series of graft allegations were levelled against ousted PM Sharif, followed by his eviction from the Office on being convicted in a false declaration of assets case.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 05, 2018 10:59 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).