Fake degrees, now fake polling agents!

Two government employees were caught red handed working as polling agents for PML-N candidate in PP-160.

Two government employees have been caught red handed working as polling agents for PML-N candidate Saif-ul-Maluk Khokhar in PP-160 during the by-polls on Thursday.

The employees were at the polling station set up in the Government Primary School Satukatla.

When the Express team checked their identification they found out that Haji Ashraf and Manzar Abbas Malik were working as polling agents for the PML-N candidate.

This was further confirmed by documental evidence found from the presiding officer.

Haji Ashraf is an SHO while Manzar Abbas Malik is a Patwari. Manzar Abbas Malik also tried to wash away the evidence. Police arrested Manzar Abbas while SHO Haji Ashraf managed to escape.

Ten candidates are in the running for PP-160, where the seat is expected to be a battle between race leaders Malik Saif-ul-Malook Khokhar of the PML-N and Malik Zaheer Abbas of Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf.

The seat was previously won by PML-N's Rana Mubashir, who had to quit on charges of possessing a fake graduation degree.

The sizzling weather may mean a lower voter turnout, which could adversely affect PML-N's chances.

Rangers will patrol the constituency all day, along with regular police, where some 40 polling stations out of 145 have been declared sensitive.

Rigging in the by-polls

An inquiry report has revealed that the fake election commission office discovered in Lahore a few days back, was set up for ensuring the victory of PML-N candidate Saif-ul-Malook in PP-160 by-elections.

The report has been presented to the secretary election commission by the returning officer.

It says police is reluctant to take action against officials who allegedly set up the office, therefore the case should be handed over to the FIA.

The report also says that the required number of Rangers were not provided for ensuring security during the by-polls.