Rigging by ROs: Inquiry commission asks PML-Q to present evidence of rigging

Commission to summon ROs on Wednesday. Wants ECP to furnish Form 15 of constituencies challenged by PML-Q


Hasnaat Malik June 02, 2015
Khalid Ranjha. PHOTO: REUTERS

ISLAMABAD: The judicial commission investigating alleged rigging in the 2013 general elections has taken strong exception to Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) allegations that returning officers (ROs) were involved in poll rigging.

The three-judge commission headed by Chief Justice Nasirul Mulk on Tuesday asked PML-Q’s counsel Dr Khalid Ranjha to present evidence to support his allegations against ROs.

During Tuesday's, Dr Ranjha claimed that in every election different methods had been adopted to rig the election, and in 2013 general elections, rigging was done through ROs.

Justice Mulk angrily told him not to pass “sweeping statements” and asked if his statement was based on the grounds that the ROs did not issue notices to candidates at the time of the consolidation of result.

Read: Fielding questions: Imran to appear before inquiry commission

Dr Ranjha contended that former President Asif Ali Zardari too had given a similar statement about the polls being rigged by the ROs.

“Then bring the former president [Zardari] as witness,” demanded the CJP.

Justice Amir Hani Muslim also asked Dr Ranjha to produce evidence against ROs, if he had any.

The PML-Q counsel then furnished affidavits of 14 candidates who believe the 2013 polls were rigged by ROs.

After the consultation among the members, the commission decided to uphold PML-Q’s plea for summoning ROs on Wednesday, and asked the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) counsel Salman Akram Raja to furnish Form 15 of those constituencies where the PML-Q had levelled rigging allegations.

The PML-Q had already requested the commission to summon ROs who conducted the elections in different constituencies, including NA-61, NA- 67, NA-104, NA-134, NA-140, NA-142, NA-164 and NA-186.

“These ROs should be asked why they did not issue mandatory notices to the contesting candidates under Section 39 of the Representatives of People’s Act 1976, and why they conducted the consolidation of results proceedings in the absence of candidates and their election agents,” the application stated.

Read: Electoral rigging: Inquiry tribunal summons Sethi, Mir

PML-Q in its application had further questioned if it was their (ROs) own negligence or that they had some form of instructions, influence or pressure to do so by some other quarters or individuals.

Further, the party requested the commission to ask when and why the ROs had issued directions for cordoning off their premises; denying candidates’ and their election agents access to the consolidation proceedings.

Meanwhile, the commission recorded the statements of several ECP officials.

An ECP official confirmed that a letter had been written regarding the nomination of ISI and IB officials to visit the Postal Foundation Press (PFP), Islamabad for clearance of area as well as personnel.

Manager Printing Corporation of Pakistan Press (PCPP) Islamabad Fazalur Rehman said Postal Service had delivered about 4.1 million unnumbered ballot papers to the PCPP on May 5 and 6 in 2013.

He admitted that an additional need of manpower arose on account of unnumbered ballot papers and later on, trained personnel were hired for numbering ballots.

Explaining possibility of wastage of ballot papers, Rehman said there could be a number of reasons. He added that that the PCPP had paid the PFP for the printing of ballot papers after two years.

The hearing was adjourned till Wednesday.

COMMENTS (1)

H Chaudhry | 8 years ago | Reply Chaudhries of Gujrat in trouble! Well it doesnt matter, they are now irrelevent and not needed. Their demise and elimination from Pakistan politics is poetic justice serving their greed and back bitting correct. Years ago NS told them, the last laugh will belong to him and it surely does now. A total and complete elimination of two of the lowest of the low in politics cess pool.
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