PTI, PPP trade blame over poll rigging in Sindh

Both parties point fingers at each other as tensions hit a boiling point during by-polls

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) on Sunday traded barbs as they blamed each other for rigging during the by-elections on two seats of the National Assembly in Sindh. 

Almost five million people in 11 constituencies were expected to cast their votes in high-stakes by-elections held today, described by political pundits as “a referendum” on the popularity of former prime minister Imran Khan.

Read Sharjeel lambasts Imran for ‘spewing venom’ against PPP

This is seen as a decisive moment in a polarised political environment of the country, with the outcome indicating support for the policies of a beleaguered government or a continued stalemate.

Tensions remained high as allegations of electoral rigging surfaced on social media.

PTI's Ali Haider alleged that PPP leaders were in breach of the electoral commission's regulations as they apparently roamed around polling stations with armed private guards.

PPP MPA Saleem Baloch & PPP District Malir President Salman Murad roaming around NA237 Malir with armed guards & police escorts breaking into polling stations & resorting to open rigging. #NA237#ByElection2022 pic.twitter.com/4yVtpFc7ij

— Ali Haider Zaidi (@AliHZaidiPTI) October 16, 2022

The claims were soon followed by video footage of PTI Karachi President Bilal Ahmed Ghaffar which was posted by another party leader and former federal minister Maritime Affairs Ali Haider Zaidi.

PPP goons attacked Karachi President MPA @BilalAGhaffar
He has been taking to the Hosptial with boss and head injuries.
Criminals ruling Sindh! pic.twitter.com/he8YdrC7Kq

— Ali Haider Zaidi (@AliHZaidiPTI) October 16, 2022

Ghaffar can be heard saying that PPP workers "threw him to the floor" before 10 to 15 people hit him with bricks.

"Saleem Baloch MPA was the first one who attacked me," he said alleging that police "did not respond" as the attack took place.

The claims were also endorsed by PTI Sindh's spokesperson Arsalan Taj who said that "Hakeem Baloch's son" was behind the alleged attack.

پیپلز پارٹی کے غنڈون کی جانب سے ملیر میں پولیس اور الیکشن عملے کے ساتھ مل کر دھاندلی کا سلسلہ شروع ۔

صدر پی ٹی آئی کراچی بلال غفار پر حکیم بلوچ کے بیٹے و دیگر کی جانب سے حملہ کیا گیا۔ pic.twitter.com/5Y1hSmyLFf

— Arsalan Taj (@ArsalanGhumman) October 16, 2022

Meanwhile, senior party leaders Fawad Chaudhry and Asad Umer also criticised the PPP for attempting to rig the polls as they condemned the attack.

تحریک انصاف کراچی کے صدر بلال غفار پر حملے کی شدید مذمت کرتے ہیں، پیپلز پارٹی ایک فاشسٹ جماعت ہے اور جس طرح کراچی کے بہادر لوگوں نے MQM کی دھشت گردی کو ختم کیا اسی طرح پیپلز پارٹی کی غنڈہ گردی کو بھی سبق سکھائیں گے #بلے_پہ_ٹھپہ

— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) October 16, 2022

Terming the PPP a "fascist party" Fawad expressed optimism that the "people of Karachi will teach a lesson to the PPP for its thuggery".

Read More Sporadic clashes in K-P, Sindh mar polling for 8 NA seats

Asad Umer also added that "clear signs of large scale rigging are now visible in Malir area of Karachi".

تحریک انصاف کراچی صدر بلال غفار پر پیپلز پارٹی کے غنڈوں کا حملہ اور انبکو زخمی کر دیا گیا . NA 237 ملیر کراچی میں اب پیپلزپارٹی کی بڑی پیمانے پر دھاندلی کے واضح آثار نظر آنے شروع #بلے_پہ_ٹھپہ

— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) October 16, 2022

On the other hand, PPP's Danial Khokhar claimed that the attack had in fact been instigated by Ghaffar and an aggressive "group" of PTI workers which had also left Khokhar injured.

ایم اپی ای بلال غفار کے قیادت مین پولنگ اسٹیشن غزالہ اسکول یونین کمیٹی غازی ٹاٸون مین پی ٹی آء کی بدمعاشی داندھلی کی کوشش پ پ پ کے کارکن دانش کھوکھر زخمی#teerPayThapa #VoteForTeee #Election2022 pic.twitter.com/j5kvo39Xw8

— Mir Abbas Talpur (@The_AbbasTalpur) October 16, 2022

PPP leaders also shared videos of PTI's Gohar Khatak apparently "threatening" the presiding officers at polling stations.

This is the video of Gohar Khatak PTI activist roaming in polling stations along with criminals and weapons. PTI MPAs and MNAs are illegally visiting every polling stations and threatening presiding officers. ECP is not taking action of the illegal movement of PTI leaders ?? pic.twitter.com/XREfuspkRx

— Sharjeel Inam Memon (@sharjeelinam) October 16, 2022

As the reports caught fire on social media, the PPP candidate Hakeem Baloch reached polling station 123 under fears that the polling may be stopped sooner.

پیپلز پارٹی کے امیدوار حکیم بلوچ پولنگ اسٹیشن 123 پہنچ گئے پولنگ عمل ایک گھنٹہ سے روکنے کی شکایت ہے، حکیم بلوچ جیسے مجھے شکایت ملی ہے پہنچا ہون، پی ٹی آئی رہنما پولنگ عمل کو روکنے کی کوشش کر رہے ہین، حکیم بلوچ#MalirKaNishaanTeer#VoteForTeer#TeerPayThappa pic.twitter.com/VFCL2zjAcy

— Mir Abbas Talpur (@The_AbbasTalpur) October 16, 2022

It may be noted that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had earlier announced that by-polls in nine National and three Punjab Assembly constituencies would be held on October 16.

Earlier, the polls supervisory body had fixed October 9 for holding by-elections in one national and three provincial constituencies. Later, the election supervisor decided to change the polling date as Eid Miladun Nabi was also likely to fall on the same day.