GDA condemns PPP’s allegations, calls for transparent elections

Mallah lamented the lack of integrity within the electoral process

HYDERABAD:

The Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) vehemently rebuked Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Shazai Marri's accusations of electoral malpractice, asserting their demand for fair and transparent elections.

GDA leader Zulfikar Mallah urged the Chief Justice of Pakistan and the Army Chief to nullify the results of the recent general elections and ensure the conduct of fresh, untainted polls.

During a press conference in Hyderabad, they appealed to civil servants within the Sindh government to refrain from bowing to PPP's influence. Mallah, in a fervent plea to these officials, emphasized the transient nature of power dynamics, urging them to uphold principles of justice and fairness.

Mallah underscored the irony of Marri and Mahesh Malani's allegations, given PPP's historical entrenchment in power in Sindh.

He pointed out the glaring contradictions, highlighting the extensive control PPP wielded over electoral machinery and personnel, casting doubts on the legitimacy of their complaints.

Drawing attention to reported instances of coercion and manipulation at polling stations, Mallah denounced the intimidation tactics allegedly employed by PPP-affiliated presiding officers, particularly targeting female voters. At some polling stations, the officials were telling women voters that they would stop receiving Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) payments if the vote against PPP.

Read: GDA plans mass sit-in against ‘poll rigging’

He lamented the lack of integrity within the electoral process, citing Commissioner Rawalpindi Liaquat Chatta's revelations as a beacon of hope for accountability.

Mallah reminisced about the longstanding political legacy of the Arbab family in Thar, tracing back to the pre-partition era, and lamented their recent defeat, attributing it to the pernicious influence of fraudulent practices and financial corruption. He called for a thorough investigation into the alleged rigging and emphasized the need for re-elections to restore faith in Pakistan's democratic processes.

In a scathing indictment, Mallah accused Malani's associates of orchestrating electoral fraud in Mithi city and beyond, questioning the authorities' failure to address these grievances promptly.

The GDA's stance reflects a steadfast commitment to upholding the principles of democracy and transparency, as they rally against the encroachment of electoral integrity.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 19^th 2024.