Allegations fly: Mian Iftikhar terms security threats poll-rigging attempt

He says the caretaker government and ECP failed to maintain peace amid election campaigns.

PESHAWAR:

Terming the deteriorating law and order situation an attempt to rig polls, former Awami National Party (ANP) provincial information minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain said the caretaker government and Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had failed to maintain peace amid election campaigns.

Addressing a press conference at Bacha Khan Markaz on Saturday, the ANP stalwart said election results would not reflect transparency as ANP candidates could not even go to their constituencies to campaign, but they will accept the results regardless. He claimed militants had accelerated their activities in targeting the party, but added the ANP would not be sidelined.

Hussain said the ANP had held negotiations with the Taliban when others had only supported military action. He asserted the elections should be held on time.

Hussain pointed out it was currently difficult for political activists to conduct election campaigns in three of the four provinces.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 28^th, 2013.