ECP finds PTI MNA responsible for NA-45 Kurram rigging

Report says Zaman violated Article 175(b) of the Elections Act in collusion with DSP Khan

ISLAMABAD:

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has published its investigation report on the NA-45 Kurram (Tribal Area - VI) postal ballot rigging.

According to the findings of the report, PTI National Assembly member Fakhar Zaman Khan has been found primarily responsible for the rigging that took place in the last elections held in the constituency in collusion with DSP Central Kurram Mohammadi Khan and Special Branch official Wasiullah.

The report was compiled by an inquiry committee comprising Joint Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Election Commissioner Haroon Khan Shinwari and Director Elections Khushal Zada.

The report states that Zaman violated Article 175(b) of the Elections Act 2017, prepared fake postal ballot applications to influence election results along with DSP Central Kurram Muhammadi Khan and Special Branch official Wasiullah, who were also found responsible for the fraud.

“The application forms for issuance of postal ballot papers emanated from the office of DSP Central Kurram Muhammadi Khan and received to RO by post were found maneuvered by the then contesting candidate now the returned candidate Zaman in violation of Section 175(b) of the Elections Act 2017.”

The report also stated that DSP Muhammadi Khan made “an attempt to use his official position to influence the election results in favour of Zaman which is violative of Section 187 of the Act”.

A team led by the K-P joint election commissioner submitted the investigation report to the ECP which stated that the applications received for the postal ballots were fake and according to the police's own inquiry, almost all the signatures on the petitions were forged.

Many of these forged requests were found to be from deceased or retired police officers. The investigation report asserts that postal ballot applicants were not even on duty on the election day and recommended strict action against those responsible.

PTI’s Zaman termed the matter a conspiracy of the opposition and presented a fake ineligibility order from the ECP as proof. He said that opponents wanted to spoil the election by spreading fake orders.