Shocking ‘revelation’ sends shockwaves through country

Pindi commissioner confesses to allowing poll rigging

RAWALPINDI:

In a shocking ‘revelation’ that sent shockwaves through the political landscape, Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatha on Saturday dropped a bombshell, confessing to his role in rigging the recent Pakistan elections, a week after polls marred by allegations of manipulation returned no clear winner.

Taking responsibility for what he termed a "heinous crime," Chatha implicated not only himself but also pointed fingers at the head of the election commission and the country's top judge – thrusting them into the spotlight.

The ‘confessions’ came as the ECP has already been in the crosshairs of several rigging allegations in the aftermath of a tumultuous week and thick clouds of manipulation continue to linger over results, throwing further questions over the legitimacy of the ballots.

Chatha, in a stunning admission, announced his intention to surrender to the authorities, acknowledging his role in tampering with the electoral outcome by turning the tables and flipping losers into winners.

"We converted the losers into winners, reversing margins of 70,000 votes in 13 national assembly seats," he told reporters.

"For committing such a heinous crime, I will hand myself over to the police," he said, also implicating Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja and Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa.

In a handwritten letter, he expressed his decision to resign from his "post and service," citing his "deep involvement in serious crimes like mega election rigging 2024."

The letter was directed to Punjab Governor Haji Ghulam Ali, interim provincial chief minister Mohsin Naqvi, and the provincial chief secretary.

When questioned about potential "irregularities" in the electoral process and whether local returning officers had caused delays in result transmission, Chatha stated that "'irregularities' is a minor word for it."

The commissioner further emphasised that the act of "stabbing the country in its back" keeps him awake at night.
"I should face punishment for the injustice I have committed, and others involved in this injustice should also be held accountable," he added.

During a press conference at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Chatha disclosed that there was significant "pressure" on him, to the extent that he contemplated suicide in the morning but ultimately decided to bring the matter before the public.

"It is my appeal to the entire bureaucracy not to engage in any wrongful actions for these political figures," he concluded.

Read Amid vote fraud, SC to take up plea seeking poll anew

Newly-appointed commissioner refutes rigging claims

Meanwhile, in the wake of allegations made by his predecessor, the newly appointed commissioner, Saif Anwar Jappa, along with all five District Returning Officers (DROs) in the division, vehemently refuted the claims and urged a transparent inquiry by the ECP.

In a press conference held at the Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner's Office, Jappa asserted that the role of a commissioner primarily involves coordination and not interference in elections.

He said that the 2024 elections were conducted transparently, dismissing all accusations made by his predecessor.

DRO Rawalpindi Hassan Waqar Cheema echoed Jappa, declaring, "We have ensured the transparency of the election. We reject all allegations and call for a thorough investigation into the matter."

Similarly, DRO Attock Rao Atif Raza insisted that the elections in Attock were conducted transparently without any external pressure. He rejected the allegations put forth by the former commissioner.

DRO Jhelum Captain (retd) Sami denied the accusations, stating that he conducted the elections in accordance with his predecessor, maintaining cleanliness and transparency throughout the process.

Meanwhile, DRO Chakwal emphasised adherence to the Election Act during the elections in Chakwal and urged the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to conduct an impartial investigation into the allegations.

Khawar Bashir, DRO of the fifth district of Talagang in Rawalpindi Division, asserted the transparency of the elections in Talagang and called for an independent investigation into the allegations made by the former commissioner.

It is pertinent to note that as the controversy unfolds, the Election Commission of Pakistan has been urged by political parties and others to take swift action to address the concerns raised and ensure the credibility of the electoral process.

However, the election commission has rejected Chattha's allegations, but said in a statement that it would "hold an enquiry".

Leading advocacy group the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said after Chattha's announcement that the "involvement of the state bureaucracy in rigging in Pakistan is beginning to be exposed.

Candidates from the PML-N and PPP claimed most of the seats in Rawalpindi, sweeping aside candidates loyal to jailed former prime minister Imran Khan -- the target of a sweeping crackdown.

Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party called nationwide protests against the alleged rigging on Saturday.

A small number of supporters took to the streets in major urban centres, with the largest gathering of around 4,000 people in its stronghold northern city of Peshawar.

In the central city of Lahore, police detained senior party member Salman Akram Raja and around a dozen supporters -- surrounding the party headquarters -- but said they had all been released by late afternoon.

Senior PTI official Ali Muhammad Khan said after the protests that Chattha's statement proved his party was cheated.

"We must be returned our mandate," he told reporters in Islamabad.

PTI defied a months-long crackdown that shattered its campaigning and forced candidates to run as independents, gaining more votes than any other party.

But it has been unwilling to enter a coalition with its opponents, paving the way for PML-N to form the next government.(With Input from AFP)