Not fair: PTI candidate in Vehari by-polls alleges rigging

Losing candidate produces video showing the returning officer and winning candidate tampering with ballot bags

LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s candidate from PP-232 (Vehari I) has challenged the victory of the Pakistan Muslim League-N’s candidate in recent by-polls held in the constituency.

Ayesha Nazir presented video footage at a press conference at the Lahore Press Club on Monday which apparently showed the presiding officer and the winning candidate tampering with ballot bags ahead of the recounting of votes. She was joined at the press conference by PTI former governor Chaudhry Sarwar and Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed.

Nazir has accused PML-N’s Yousaf Kaseliya of rigging the election and has requested the Election Commission of Pakistan to declare her the winner. “It’s a shame that no one is taking notice of the blatant rigging even after seeing the evidence.” She said PTI workers in her area had also been getting threats before the election.

Nazir accused the returning officer of being involved in the rigging. She said no action had been taken on her application for a recount of votes. She said that the district management had announced the victory for the PML-N candidate based on results from 70 polling stations even though dozens of Forms 14 and 15 had not been received.

Nazir said after being presented with evidence, it was the ECP’s responsibility to take notice. She demanded initiation of legal proceedings against those involved in the rigging.

Sarwar reiterated her demand. “If the ECP does not register cases against those involved in electoral fraud, the PTI will take the matter to the Lahore High Court.”

Sarwar said in the video, Kaseliya and Returning Officer Amir Javed could be seen de-sealing polling bags, changing results and re-packing. “We have presented clear evidence of rigging yet our party’s concerns have not been addressed.” Rasheed said, “Voters will lose faith in the Election Commission of Pakistan if the sanctity of the ballot is not maintained.” He alleged that the Punjab chief minister had called up Vehari’s district administration officers a day before the by-election to demand that they use all resources to ensure a victory for Kaseliya.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 6^th, 2016.