Assault on polling staff: ECP reserves verdict as Waheeda apologises
Commission also initiates proceedings in poll-rigging allegations case.
ISLAMABAD:
One case against PPP by-election candidate Waheeda Shah wraps up as the other starts. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has reserved till Wednesday its verdict in a case regarding an assault by Waheeda on polling staffers, while initiating proceedings against her over rigging allegations.
Waheeda, who was a contestant for the Sindh Assembly seat PS-53, had slapped two polling staffers at a polling station in Tando Muhammad Khan during last month’s by-polls.
On Tuesday, Waheeda, who did not appear before the commission however, submitted an unconditional apology to the ECP, officials told The Express Tribune. Her counsel tendered the apology on behalf of his client.
Returning Officer for PS-53 Ali Asghar Sial also submitted his report on the slapping incident. Provincial Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Hamid Ali Mirza had directed Sial to take cognisance of the matter. “The slapping incident shocked the whole nation,” observed ECP members. “We condemned the unruly behaviour of personnel aspiring to represent the people in Parliament.”
Inquiry into poll rigging
On Tuesday, the commission also heard parties in a case of alleged rigging during the PS-53 by-polls. CEC Mirza took up multiple complaints filed with the commission regarding alleged rigging in around 11 polling stations in the said constituency, ECP officials told The Express Tribune. “She could be disqualified under the rules of discipline, if found guilty,” an official said.
One of Waheeda’s rivals, Mushtaq Ali Talpur, registered a complaint consisting of 19 points of evidence with the ECP. On Talpur’s complaint, the CEC issued notices to all the parties to appear before the commission on Tuesday.
In the initial counting, Waheeda had won a majority – but on Feb 27, the ECP withheld the official results after taking serious note of the assault.
The complainants informed the ECP about rigging in polling station 16. Polling agents were allegedly kicked out from the booth and fake votes were cast on the polling day.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 7th, 2012.
One case against PPP by-election candidate Waheeda Shah wraps up as the other starts. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has reserved till Wednesday its verdict in a case regarding an assault by Waheeda on polling staffers, while initiating proceedings against her over rigging allegations.
Waheeda, who was a contestant for the Sindh Assembly seat PS-53, had slapped two polling staffers at a polling station in Tando Muhammad Khan during last month’s by-polls.
On Tuesday, Waheeda, who did not appear before the commission however, submitted an unconditional apology to the ECP, officials told The Express Tribune. Her counsel tendered the apology on behalf of his client.
Returning Officer for PS-53 Ali Asghar Sial also submitted his report on the slapping incident. Provincial Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Hamid Ali Mirza had directed Sial to take cognisance of the matter. “The slapping incident shocked the whole nation,” observed ECP members. “We condemned the unruly behaviour of personnel aspiring to represent the people in Parliament.”
Inquiry into poll rigging
On Tuesday, the commission also heard parties in a case of alleged rigging during the PS-53 by-polls. CEC Mirza took up multiple complaints filed with the commission regarding alleged rigging in around 11 polling stations in the said constituency, ECP officials told The Express Tribune. “She could be disqualified under the rules of discipline, if found guilty,” an official said.
One of Waheeda’s rivals, Mushtaq Ali Talpur, registered a complaint consisting of 19 points of evidence with the ECP. On Talpur’s complaint, the CEC issued notices to all the parties to appear before the commission on Tuesday.
In the initial counting, Waheeda had won a majority – but on Feb 27, the ECP withheld the official results after taking serious note of the assault.
The complainants informed the ECP about rigging in polling station 16. Polling agents were allegedly kicked out from the booth and fake votes were cast on the polling day.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 7th, 2012.