Election rigging: President promulgates ordinance on formation of judicial commission

Commission aims to investigate allegations of massive rigging in the 2013 general elections

ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain promulgated on Friday the ordinance regarding formation of judicial commission to probe rigging allegations in the 2013 general elections.

On April 2, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the ruling Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) formally signed an agreement paving way for the formation of a judicial commission through a presidential decree to investigate allegations of massive rigging in the 2013 general elections.

The move comes after PTI chief Imran Khan warned of protests if the government went back on its promise of holding a judicial inquiry into vote fraud allegations.

Read: Vote fraud charges: PTI, PML-N sign accord on judicial inquiry

Imran’s threat was prompted by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar’s statement that another round of talks was needed before the government could issue the presidential ordinance for the formation of the judicial commission.

On Wednesday, negotiators from the two sides met to finalise a seven-page agreement which was subsequently signed by Ishaq Dar and Senator Zafar Iqbal Jhagra and  Jahangir Tareen and Shah Mahmood Qureshi on behalf of their respective parties. Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik also signed the draft as a witness.

According to the agreement, “The Commission shall enquire into and determine whether or not: (a) the 2013 general elections were organised and conducted impartially, honestly, fairly, justly and in accordance with law; and (b)the 2013 general elections were manipulated or influenced pursuant to a systematic effort or by design by anyone; and (c) the results of the 2013 general elections, on an overall basis, are a true and fair reflection of the mandate given by the electorate.”