Election Commission withholds result of PS-53 after polling staffer slapped

Chief Election Commissioners orders registration of an FIR against Syeda Wahida Bukhari.

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday has taken serious notice of the slapping incident of a polling staffer by PS-53 by-election candidate Syeda Wahida Shah Bukhari. The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) has withheld results till an inquiry in to the matter presents its results. 

An official statement issued on Monday by the ECP read, “It was agreed without demur by the members of the ECP that the official result of the said constituency may be withheld till the completion of the inquiry.”

Bukhari was leading the by-poll as per initial counting.

Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Hamid Ali Mirza has ordered the registering of an FIR against Bukhari, who was caught on camera slapping two women at polling station No 16- Government Girls High School, Tando Muhammad Khan in Sindh for PS-53.

The official statement further said,“Returning Officer for PS-53 Ali Asghar Sial has also been directed to take immediate cognisance of the matter under section 86-A of the Representation of People Act, 1976 and all other enabling provisions, for alleged violation of the provision of section 86, hold an inquiry (summary trial), hear the necessary parties and pass the orders.”

Regarding the inquiry, it added that “Inquiry should be conducted at the office of Provincial Election Commissioner (PEC), Karachi within minimum possible time, not exceeding seven days at the maximum.”

“The slapping incident shocked the whole nation,” observed members of the ECP. “We condemn the unruly behaviour of a personnel aspiring to represent the people in the Parliament.”

The CEC also directed the PEC, Sindh to take necessary action under the law. The ECP also stated that an FIR No. 33/2012 under section 86 (3) (b) of the Representation of People Act, 1976 has been registered against Bukhari at the Tando Muhammad Khan police station. The CEC also made it clear that no one would be allowed to threaten or use force against the polling staff whose services were hired by the Commission.

The Commission would take all possible steps to provide protection to the polling staff and take exemplary action under the law against anyone who indulges in any illegal activities to disrupt peaceful atmosphere at the polling stations.

Acting on Mir Mushtaq Ali Talpur’s complaint, who was one of the contending by-election candidates from PS-53, the CEC issued notices to all parties to appear before the Commission on March 6, 2012.

Members of the commission, expressing concern and disappointment over the failure of the Police personnel present on the occasion, directed Inspector General Sindh to take action against the officials who failed to perform their duties despite being present on the scene and submit a report to the Commission within a week.