The Election Commission of Pakistan had sent the votes to Nadra after the elections for thumbprint verification, when complaints of rigging surfaced. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
PML-N candidate Malik Riaz had won from NA-118 in the May 2013 general elections but Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf candidate Hamid Zaman had challenged the result. Zaman later filed a writ petition in the election tribunal to challenge the success of Malik Riaz, citing claims of massive rigging.
NA-118 (Lahore) is among the four constituencies that PTI has pointed out in the election rigging controversy. The ballot boxes were at NADRA for thumbprint verification.
Officials told the Express Investigation Cell (EIC) that a group of top NADRA officials, comprising acting chairman, Mr Tajwar, Finger-Print Verification Unit (FPVU) director general Col Khalid Manzoor Khattak and FPVU project director Muzaffar completed the entire process of unsealing dozens of bags containing polled votes of NA-118. The NADRA men ensured that the bags had same number of votes as the notified number of voters cast. Justice Munir Mughal was representing PTI candidate Hamid Zaman to the thumbprint verification proceedings.
The Election Commission of Pakistan had sent the votes to Nadra after the elections for thumbprint verification, when complaints of rigging surfaced.
Since the NADRA officials realised the risk involved and the gravity of the illegal act, they took some precautionary measures. First, they switched off the CCTV cameras installed in that part of the NADRA office where they stored the bags on May 22 and May 26. The gang also made the part of the office selected for the ‘task’ a ‘no-go area’ even for other senior officials, officials described.
In reply to a detailed questionnaire, NADRA spokesperson Faik Ali only said that he could neither confirm not deny the incident.
The act by the accused NADRA officials raises the question mark on the credibility of the Election Commission of Pakistan, say officials. Moreover, they reveal that the thumb verification process of NA 118 Lahore had a direct link with the sacking of Tariq Malik as NADRA chairman.
Tariq Malik had confirmed at an early stage that NADRA had the technology to verify thumbprints of voters. Soon after this announcement, Malik was dismissed from his post, EIC was informed.
The court had restored Tariq Malik but he later opted to quit the job when pressured. He was also facing threats of kidnapping and he soon left the country, officials added.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 7th, 2014.
COMMENTS (37)
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Political parties must learn to lose with grace. This is ridiculous.
This story is baseless and concocted which has been contradicted by NADRA Spokesman in Today's paper. I really wonder how would NADRA officials would ensure the same number of ballots by refilling the bags. How would they arrange people and their thumbs for refilling the bags? The reporter has wrongly quoted the spokesperson of NADRA "he could neither confirm not deny the incident". However, the spokesperson sent him one liner reply through an email saying "Since this matter is with the election tribunal, as per law I can not comment on sub-judice matter".
Why the reporters make fuss of nothing and create anarchy and restlessness in society? They still have not learnt lesson from Geo's faux paux
I have gone through NADRA's contradiction which says the Election Material of NA-118 was handed over to them in the presence of Justice (R) Munir A Mughal after proper counting. The record was not only shared with the Justice (R) Munir A Mughal but the same was submitted in Election Tribunal. It had better media stop unnecessarily influencing NADRA on sub judice matter which damages organisation's hard-earned credibility.
However, the spokesperson has urged on media, petitioner and respondent to cross-examine the NADRA official in Election Tribunal in presence of the Judge once verification report is submitted. After submission of report, media can get copy of it from Election tribunal and can come up with criticism. Moreover, NADRA has a record of video recording and photographs of handing-over of Election material of NA-118 from multiple angles.
I have been extremely straight individual throughout my life. I am sure about one thing. If Imran khan doesn't come to power soon, then I will be the most corrupt individual this country has ever seen. My corruption, dishonesty and hurting people will excel the top most heights and will be remembered by the victims and their generation by ages.
An article without substance or proof. The article doesn't make sense and is written by a sympathizer of PTI.
Saddest part is that nobody in the ‘Land Of The Pure’ seems to care that an impure govt (s)elected through impure elections & pure punctures is ruling them. And those who did punctures, didn’t do it for public good clearly. They wanted a share of the pie. Helps explain why Sethi gets PCB despite being sacked by IHC 4 times. Plus sacking of Tariq Malik. Plus IPP payments to Mansha & Co (ROI on election funding). This is going be the biggest electoral fraud in Pakistan’s history. Also explains why ‘innocent’ PMLN doesn’t want 4 constituencies to be thumb verified.
Shame on rhose who sell people's will for some pennies and power.
when Imran used to play cricket it was ball tempering now when he is in politics now it is votes tempering we need neutral umpires like Tariq malik and they should be given protection why our interior minister is silent on this issue where are his tall claims
NA 118 isn't among the four constituencies PTI demanded for thumb verifications, that four constituencies are NA 122, NA 125, NA 110, NA 154.
Nazu lohar at his best...
This proves Imran true. Very sad for our country. Time and again we prove that we don't deserve democracy! Shameful act of the rulers.
The so-called free and fair elections resulting in 'heavy public mandate".
It gets worse and worse. New elections should be called
@Naeem Khan Manhattan,Ks: Mr Naeem , the motive to turn of the CCTV cameras is clear don't you see. To wipe the trail of rigging in case when and if the rigging was discovered. The cameras cannot be called as evidence there would be none. The complicits could say due to load shedding cameras were not working. Some politician who had been running from pillar to post to be heard for a year or appear to be vindicated.
I wonder what Saad Rafique has to say on this.. He's been ranting against PTI and IK too much lately so I hope this will shut him up!
as if someone cares about moral values
PMLN excels in election rigging. Election Commission appears like a bunch of corrupt incompetent thugs
This illegal act of government was enough to throw them out of power, if we were anywhere near of a civilized nation.
will the real Malik Riaz please stand up...please stand up..please stand up
I don't think so officers alone are at fault, they know if they take stand no one from civil society will stand with them and they alone will face the music so it is unrealistic that we ask them to perform their duties honestly but do not play our role. Do not lament PMLN or NADRA or ECP criticize our society which is dead.
Even today after 30 years of oppression some 'parhalikhas' still support pmln ppp and mqm..you are everything that's wrong with this country..shame on you!
yp this way they can get all the asked Four constituencies verified. close the CCTVs for 15 days and verify the thumb impression.long live justice (chief sb)
Wow ... this is explosive stuff.
Not surprising at all. Noon League was bound to do it.
How long will you run from justice? In sha Allah the green revolution will come and wipe the corrupt and the unjust from their seats of power. In sha Allan Inqliab is soon and the people should start their preparations for a revolutionary change for the betterment of Pakistan and its people.
Thieves trying to to cover their foot prints. What they say to hide one lie you have to tell a 100 more.
I hereby pass a motion of no confidence in the legal standing of the government and denounce the elections and those committing this heinous act of stealing the peoples mandate. The urge the government to quit as it has no moral authority to govern as of now. I also express deep regret with all those who have pinned hopes in the current government and advise them to seriously reconsider their political view point.
What is going on here? Why the all cover-up process? This is totally not acceptable. This again clearly shows that there was massive rigging done in Elections 2013 and now even NADRA has become involved in this rigging.
If this doesn't cause people to come out on the street and demand their right for free and fair elections, then good luck with your future Pakistan; you are definitely a failed state !!
There is no place for honest men in this country's government institutions. Only the corrupt get there and then never let the country progress.
I am utterly disgusted. PMLN at its best, Roshan Pakistan.
Shame on PML(N)
In the language of people from NA-118: "hor chuppo".
Let the games begin!
Shame on those who committed such an heinous crime with people's votes, I believe this time Nawaz league will say they have nothing to do with this rigging.
OMG and then they say why Imran Khan shouts RIGGING? Saddest part is that nobody in the 'Land Of The Pure' seems to care that an impure govt (s)elected through impure elections & pure punctures is ruling them. And those who did punctures, didn't do it for public good clearly. They wanted a share of the pie. Helps explain why Sethi gets PCB despite being sacked by IHC 4 times. Plus sacking of Tariq Malik. Plus IPP payments to Mansha & Co (ROI on election funding). This gotta be the biggest electoral fraud in Pakistan's history. Also explains why 'innocent' PMLN doesn't want 4 constituencies to be thumb verified :(