Up in arms: PPP workers accuse PML-N of rigging PK-8 by-polls

Say they used unfair means; changed results overnight

PESHAWAR: Provincial leaders of Pakistan Peoples Party have asked the Election Commission of Pakistan to take notice of the unfair means that were allegedly used by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz in the PK-8 by-elections. The seat was won by a PML-N candidate who defeated PPP’s Malik Tahmash Khan by a small margin.

“They have fully utilised the government’s resources to entice the voters,” PPP K-P former president Khanzada Khan said during a demonstration of PPP members on Sher Shah Suri Road on Friday. “The federal government [led by PML-N] has changed our win into loss in the dark of the night.”

The protesters said PPP candidate, Malik Tahmash, was in the lead till late night, but they believed, the results were changed.

Adamant on action

“We will never accept these [unofficial] results and will protest until ECP takes notice,” Khanzada said. The protesters were holding placards and banners inscribed with slogans against the federal and K-P governments and demanded ECP take notice of the issue. They said they will extend their demonstration from Peshawar to other cities of the province.

Liaqat Shabab, Syed Zahir Shah, Rahimdad Khan, Humayun Khan, Malik Tahmash and Nighwat Orakzai, from the party, were also present on the occasion.

After consulting the senior leadership of the party on the issue, they said, they will take to the Supreme Court of Pakistan if ECP does not heed their protest.

The provincial government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf was also accused of using the government’s machinery to entice voters. However, the protesters said PTI has completely lost its popularity in the province. They added PTI still lost the polls even though it spent millions and even violated the code of conduct of ECP.

On the streets

The protesters also walked toward Governor House and held sit-in. They shouted slogans against the federal and provincial governments for their alleged involvement making their candidate lose the by-election.

Khanzada believed Malik Tahmash did well in the by-polls, therefore, he said his party is liked by the public and will emerge victorious in every election. “We will not sit idle until we get justice.”

By-elections on PK-8, Peshawar-VIII took place on May 12. PML-N’s Arbab Waseem was declared victorious.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 21^st, 2016.