Rigging allegations: Protests continue across Balochistan

BNP-M, NP and JUI-I claim their mandates were snatched from them.

QUETTA:

While the PML-N and its allies busy themselves over the formation of the Balochistan coalition government, others are questioning the very legitimacy of the elections.

The Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) staged a sit-in outside the provincial election commissioner’s office against the alleged rigging during the polls.

Speaking on the occasion, BNP-M senior vice president Dr Jahanzaib Jamalidini said that old and new players had gathered to loot Balochistan, adding that the party will continue its struggle for the protection of Balochistan’s resources. He said that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had assured them that it would conduct free and fair elections and the BNP-M tried to change the fate of Balochistan through the ballot but their victory were snatched away through force.

He said that the forces that had always hatched conspiracies to serve their narrow interests were involved in the rigging and added that his party will continue to raise its voice against the atrocities being carried out in Balochistan.

Meanwhile, National Party (NP) workers also staged a protest demonstration in front of Quetta Press Club against the alleged rigging in the PB-50 and NA 272 constituencies.

Addressing party workers, central deputy secretary general Takari Shafqat Langove said the NP participated in the elections during difficult times and the people showed their trust in the party by voting for it. However, he complained that his party’s mandate was snatched and demanded that their party leaders be provided justice or else they would be forced to adopt a harsher strategy in the future.

Similarly, Jamiat Ulema Islami-Ideological also staged a demonstration in front of the Qilla Saifullah district commission’s office against the alleged rigging in PB-20 and demanded re-election in the said constituency.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 19^th, 2013.