PML-N announces anti-rigging system

Senator Mushahid Hussain says those violating oath will be publicly exposed

LAHORE : The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has announced a comprehensive and effective Anti-Rigging System (ARS) to expose and prevent any attempt at rigging the July 25 elections.

This was announced by Chairman of PML-N’s Central Media Committee, Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed, at a press conference on Monday. He also announced that a National Conference of Social Media Activists and Chief Polling Agents would be held on July 19th in Lahore, which would include the training program for chief polling agents from all constituencies where PML-N candidates are contesting.



Syed further said that apart from the PML-N some other political parties including the Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) have publicly complained about attempts at rigging, interference, intimidation, manipulation, political engineering, and harassment plus nepotism and favouritism through abuse of office and undue official influence.

He said that all these actions are a blatant violation of the code of conduct of the Election Commission of Pakistan. “Such negative practices undermine free fair and transparent electoral process while also making elections controversial since a level playing field is not provided”, said the PML-N leader.



In this context, he cited a recurring pattern of behaviour that is targeting PML-N leadership through a systematic effort to block its political activities during the election period, the latest example of which is slapping of cases, including provisions from the Anti-Terrorism Act, against its leadership and activists during the July 13 rally in Lahore.

He said that thrice-elected prime minister Nawaz Sharif is facing a trial in jail which is, unprecedented for political leaders. As per law, he should be tried in open court. Only high profile terrorists are tried in jails.



Moreover, the senator unveiled features of this Anti Rigging System (ARS), which is the first time in Pakistan’s political history that a national political party has formally launched a comprehensive system to counter rigging. Its notable features include linkage between candidates, constituencies, legal aid committees, social media teams and election observers, backed by a hotline number where complaints about rigging will be recorded and addressed in accordance with law.

“Legal action will also be taken against individuals found involved in rigging in any form, including officials who violate their oath or the law of the land – they will be publicly named and their illegal activities will be exposed”, claimed Syed.