‘Champion of rigging’: PML-N berates govt after Daska by-poll report

Says report serves as 'strong evidence' for opposition's claim that 2018 general elections were too rigged

ISLAMABAD:

A day after the Election Commission of Pakistan released a damning report about poll manipulation in Daska by-elections, PML-N leader Khawaja Saad Rafique berated the ruling the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) as "champions of rigging" on Saturday.

Addressing a press conference alongside former speaker of the National Assembly, Ayaz Sadiq, and other PML-N leaders in Lahore, Rafique lashed out at the government over the findings of an inquiry report, saying it also corroborated opposition’s rallying claim that the PTI formed its government in the Centre only after stealing votes.

An inquiry report by the ECP on Friday revealed that the disappearance of presiding officers during the vote count for the NA-75 Daska by-elections on February 19 was part of a “pre-planned scheme”.

“The election officials and other government functionaries did not play their designated role in a requisite manner but they were found puppets in the hands of their unlawful masters,” the report highlighted.

EVMs part of another conspiracy

The ECP report, which points fingers at the government functionaries, has provided fresh fodder to the political rival to bolster its claims that the incumbent government rigged the 2018 general elections – a rallying cry of the opposition parties.

Terming the government’s efforts to unilaterally introduce electoral reforms a “constitutional violation”, the PML-N leader alleged that the ruling party’s push to bring the electronic voting machines (EVMs) was, in fact, part of its maneuverings to manipulate the next general elections in the same manner it rigged the 2018 general elections with the help of the Results Transmission System (RTS).

Read SC declines to suspend ECP decision on Daska re-polling

“The PTI is planning a daylight robbery of the 2023 elections but the people of Pakistan and political parties will not let them succeed,” Rafique added.

“The public will no longer sit quietly if the government tries to bulldoze the amendments needed for the use of the machines through the joint session of parliament, as they did in the NA.”

He maintained that while the PML-N was also in favour of granting voting rights to overseas Pakistanis, the government was acting defiant to repeated calls to open the matter for discussion and bilateral support.

Lacing into the ruling party for skyrocketing inflation, the PML-N leader said the government was acting nonchalant to the cries of those bearing the brunt of inflation.  "It is their job to reduce prices, but they are not doing it."

Rafique claimed the "system has failed and to prevent further disorder,” and urged Prime Minister Imran Khan to step down and hold fresh elections.

‘PM serving IMF’s needs’

The former railways minister went on to say that the loans the government has borrowed thus far surpass the amount previous governments took over the past decade.

"On one hand, the government announces a relief package, and on the other hand, it raises petrol prices,” he said, adding, "I have not seen a more inefficient government in this country in my life”.