PTI points out ‘huge anomalies’ in voters’ list

140 polling stations to be set up for by-polls in provincial capital

LAHORE:

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has highlighted that 45,069 new voters have been registered in PP-167, 24,622 in PP-168 and 14,146 in PP-170 for upcoming by-elections when compared to 2018 general elections voters count.

Information released by the PTI election cell on Tuesday, indicates that there are total 220,348 voters, including 114,374 male and 105,974 female, registered in PP-167 for July 17 by-elections, while total 175,279 voters were registered in 2018 general elections.

Similarly, in PP-168, total 151,484 voters, including 84, 144 male and 67,340 female, are registered for upcoming by-elections, while total 126,862 voters were registered in 2018 general elections.

In PP-170, total 114,652 voters, including 60,594 male and 54,058 female, are registered for upcoming by-elections, while total 100,506 voters were registered in 2018 general elections.

As per polling plan, the party highlighted that a total of 140 polling stations will be set up in PP-167, 96 in PP-168 and 79 in PP-170.

PTI Central General Secretary Asad Umar reviewed ongoing electioneering process in all four constituencies of Lahore and expressed his satisfaction of election campaign.

He underscored that the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) will make all possible attempts to rig upcoming by-election and PTI leaders and workers should remain prepared to counter all such attempts.

He said people have fed up from imported government and masses would announce their verdict against turncoats with the power of their vote in upcoming by-elections.

He said the defeat of the “fake rulers” is written on the wall. The PML-N, as per its habit, is trying to do rigging in by-elections but the PTI is ready to counter all their tactics.

The meeting was attended by the PTI Central Punjab President Dr Yasmin Rashid, Central Punjab General Secretary Hammad Azhar, Information Secretary Andleeb Abbas and others.

Meanwhile, addressing a news conference, Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Sabtain Khan and Parliamentary Leader Punjab Mian Mahmoodur Rashhed said the anxiety of the ruling party is increasing as by-elections are coming closer. Officials of different government agencies and the PML-N workers are removing panaflex banners of the PTI candidates from the city.

The party has decided to move the election commission and the court of law against the highhandedness of the government agencies.

PTI leaders pointed out that the Supreme Court of Pakistan has nominated Hamza Shehbaz as caretaker chief minister but he is announcing development schemes in gross violation of election rules and the apex court order.

They also alleged that the ruling party is trying to buy votes by paying Rs5,000 to each voter over the promise to vote for the PML-N.

Main Mahmoodur Rasheed announced that PTI Chairman Imran Khan will hold another public rally on day after tomorrow in Daharmpura for which arrangements are being made.

Sabtain Khan underlined that the situation would be different if the election commission had issued notification of PTI candidates on reserved seats. The party has already decided to knock the door of court over this matter and will counter all nefarious plans of the ruling party to rig by-elections.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, July 6^th, 2022.