PPP cries foul after PML-N, demands extension in polling time

ECP turns down all requests, decides to end polling at 6pm

ISLAMABAD: After Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Pakistan Peoples Party has also requested the Election Commission of Pakistan to extend the polling time by an hour.

Leveling allegation of rigging, PPP has written to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) seeking relief.

The letter, released to the media by PPP media cell, stated that the polling staff and security forces were aiding rival party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

The party stated that PTI workers were indulging in ‘open rigging’ at female polling stations “with the help of local levies force, security forces and polling staff.”

The electoral body, however, has turned down all requests and has decided to end the polling at 6pm sharp.

Meanwhile, PPP secretary general Farhatullah Babar also wrote to the commission seeking extension in polling time.

“We have received reports from a large number of polling stations from across the country complaining of the extremely slow pace of polling and voters sweating in summer outside the polling stations in long queues waiting for their turn,” he wrote.

“Not only voters have been put to extreme discomfort there is real danger of a large number of voters not being able to cast their votes and might have to return homes frustrated and disenfranchised. This has happened because not more than three to four voters are allowed to enter the polling station at a time.”

The senior PPP leader requested ECP to invoke Section 70 of the Election Act 2017 and extend the time of voting.

The election commission had earlier said that they were not considering extending the polling time by an hour after receiving requests by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz.

PML-N on its Twitter account had shared a letter where they requested the electoral body to extend the polling time by an hour.

مسلم لیگ ن کا الیکشن کمشن سے پولنگ کا ٹائم ایک گھنٹہ بڑھانے کا مطالبہ pic.twitter.com/fMcr7LlMXs

— PMLN (@pmln_org) July 25, 2018

Making the demand under section 70 of the Election Act 2017, the PML-N requested that polling be extended due to "voters standing in long lines in the hot and humid weather."

"We are receiving complaints on a large scale nationwide and PML-N would appreciate if this demand of the voters is accepted," the letter read further.

PTI has also demanded the electoral body to extend the polling time.

Party spokesperson Fawad Chaudhry requested the ECP to extend the polling time till 7pm.

Polling was temporarily halted across some Lahore areas following rain. At a polling station in NA-29 (Peshawar III) voters, polling staff face difficulties due to load-shedding.

In addition to long queues and waiting time there have been several delays because of clashes between rival party supporters and other irregularities. Polling did not begin till 1pm at two Karachi NA-241 polling stations. The voting process was temporarily halted at a station in Upper Dir’s NA-5 constituency after alleged rigging, in Larkana’s NA-200 and PS-11 constituencies after an explosion.

Voters and candidates have both complained of stations being understaffed and general disorganisation such as names not being present on lists.