NP, PML-N make rival claims of by-poll victory in Kech

Both parties demand election commission to declare their candidate winner

QUETTA:

Allies in the provincial coalition government, National Party (NP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) are at odds over the results of by-elections in the far-flung district of Kech.

The election authorities have yet to announce the result of balloting held on Thursday, leading to rival claims by NP and the provincial set-up of PML-N on winning the election.



The Information Secretary of PML-N Balochistan Allauddin Kakar has demanded of the Election Commission Pakistan to issue the notification of the success of PML-N’s candidate Haji Akbar Aaskani from PB-50 Kech.

Speaking at a media conference in the Quetta Press Club on Sunday, he said that in the by-election of PB-50 held on December 31, Akbar Aaskani secured 4,608 votes while the NP candidate Akram Dashti could only get 2,462 votes, but ECP has still not announced the results.

He said that the masses of Kech have expressed their confidence in PML-N, but the opponents have again engaged in negative propaganda against the party. He called upon the opponents to accept the result and victory of the PML-N leader and concede their defeat.

NP protest

The central leaders of NP, including Central Vice President Tahri Bizenjo, MPA Dr Shama Ishaq Baloch, addressing a protest demonstration, demanded of the ECP to issue the notification of success of their party leader Akram Dashti.



They also threatened a province-wide strike adding that the responsibility of the consequences would lie with the ECP.

The protestors were holding banners and placards in their hands, inscribed with various slogans for the success of their candidate.

They said that NP is the most popular party of the province and believes in democratic norms. It has always been the flag bearer of transparent elections. They said that if election commission is impartial, it should announce the results immediately. Lawmakers elected through rigging, add to the problems of the masses rather than resolving them.

They said that in 2013, worst riggings were done in the said constituency and by tempering the results, the NP leaders’ were defeated.



Tahir Bizenjo said that the by-election took place amid worst law and order situation.

Akram Dashti’s home was attacked and women and children were threatened, he said. Moreover, Dashti’s brother and nephew were also kidnapped along with three other party workers, the NP leader reminded.

Dr Shama Ishaq said if the by-election results were manipulated, NP would launch a protest campaign across the province.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 4^th, 2016.