ISLAMABAD: Amid the deepening controversy surrounding the May 2013 general election, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday presented a ‘fact sheet’ to the electoral reforms committee challenging Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) allegations that extra ballot papers were published during last year’s polls.
The ECP maintained that the 2013 general elections had been applauded in the country’s history and asked PTI to present their evidence that extra ballot papers were published in Urdu Bazaar, Lahore, as per their claim.
“…In the fitness of things to propose that those quarters who have leveled these allegations should prove the allegations before the appropriate forum,” ECP Secretary Ishtiak Ahmed Khan said, claiming they have the record of every single ballot paper printed.
Briefing the 33-member parliamentary panel headed by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, the ECP secretary said that the owner of the printing press in Urdu Bazaar, Lahore, who had been accused of printing extra ballot papers, had been served a legal notice.
“We are a constitutional body and had issued a rebuttal but cannot deliver speeches on it,” the secretary candidly responded to a question on why the ECP had not clarified allegations leveled against it earlier.
“The entire record containing the names of representatives of the returning officers (ROs) along with details of the exact number of ballot paper books handed over to them is available with the government’s printing presses which can be produced as and when required by any competent forum that may be appointed for the purpose of investigations,” Khan said.
Refuting allegations of extra ballot papers printed in five divisions of Punjab, the secretary said, “It is a matter of record that in all these five divisions, almost 100% of the ballot papers had already been distributed to the ROs by May 9, 2013, who had carried out bulk breaking of these ballot papers and prepared the sealed bags containing ballot papers for handing over to the presiding officers the day before the polls on May 10, 2013.”
During the meeting, the Printing Corporation of Pakistan (PCP) also briefed the panel regarding the printing process of ballot papers.
Khan explained the procedure for selection of specified paper used for ballot papers and its printing under the supervision of army troops. However, Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rasheed protested that, “People are printing fake currency notes, including US dollar and you are saying that paper is not available in the market.”
PTI chief Imran Khan has repeatedly alleged that extra ballot papers were printed by a private printing press in Lahore and that these extra ballots were used to stuff boxes to rig elections. While PTI members were not present in Monday's meeting, Rashid attended the meeting and raised several questions and left before the meeting concluded.
COMMENTS (16)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1713509570-0/Taylor-Swift-Album-Release-(1)1713509570-0-270x192.webp)
On Media, a lot of rumors about election 2013 rigging, I request to clear it,,, some persons blamed on former CJSC, but mostly think that these are just elegation,,, Now please clear these people,,,, If there is rigging,, then how peoples were involved,, because Sharif's family was not in Govt,, then how they could involve in it,, Please clear us,
EVERYONE knows these elections were riged .. everyone said it in parliament that elections were rigged .. but r angered when we say to re-election
Imran Khan only makes allegations. It is up to the victim to prove that he/she/it is innocent.
Imran and PTI is all bluster. When it comes to giving proof they are going to fizzle out.
@Z: If IK brings photos you'll say they're photo shopped, If he brings witnesses you'll say they're just looking for attention, If an ECP official admits that the elections were a fraud you'll say that he's been paid. Even if the PM himself says that the elections were rigged you'll claim that he is being threatened by the ISI. There is just no way to convince or reason with your type of people.
How much more does ECP want to lie
ECP employees have themselves admitted to irregularities in polls. Furthermore, even anti-PTI parities (pretty much all feudals /industrialists in the country which make up over 90% of the country) even accept that polls were rigged.
Not to mention ECP in its own report pointed out issues in the polls.
Pakistan, even if you dislike PTI, please wake up and rise against all this corruption
Hold on!!! Wait for the best of things that has yet to happen...its called the U-Turn... and its coming soon !!!!
I dont think there was any systematic rigging. Maybe isolated cases yet but not what Imran khan is alleging. Imran khan is a spoil sport and cant for next election. Hence with the help of some retired and some extremely corrupt and rejected mullahs and poluticians this dharna to topple an elected government. Imran khan should provide proofs to substantiate his allegations.
Excellent ....Now PTI & IK have to prove all Alif Laila type stories of Urdu Bazar Ballot Papers,UNDP Systems being purposely shut down, Ifitkhar Chaudry being so powerful to pressurize all ROs of Pakistan, 35 Punctures out of which only 15 are in Punjab and Najam Sethi is so influencial to change put 20 punctures in FATA, KPK and Balochistan also etc etc. The list goes on and on ....
I would suggest PTI to not pay heed to this. Only put the evidence in front of the Supreme court only!!!
gonawazgo #nonawazno2013 elections applauded as mismanaged and unfair elections.
Note to ECP.. Could you also send a summons notice addresed to your self, as you still have not furnished form 14.
Oh well time to bring the proof now :) and don't try to get that Afzal guy who did not get job extension as your proof.
Wasn't that all burnt in a recent building fire in Lahore? I would have to say ECP always takes decisions 'ON TIME'.
What a lol ECP... you guys have put a 175 paged report on your website saying these elections were rigged and now you asking somebody else to prove that elections were rigged hmmmm hmmmm hmmm - Go Nawaz Go.