"Election results were not announced till 2pm on the day after polling. Most of my polling agents were not provided with results," says Fakhar Imam. PHOTO: Express/File
Former National Assembly speaker and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz candidate Fakhar Imam (NA-156, Khanewal) filed an application with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Sunday seeking an inquiry into the alleged rigging in his constituency.
Addressing a press conference at the Multan Press Club on Sunday, Imam demanded that the result from the constituency be withheld till completion of the inquiry.
He said though the code of conduct was mostly adhered to at polling stations, the ECP must set-up an inquiry team to investigate rigging complaints.
He said he had filed a similar petition after the 2008 general elections and regretted that it had not been decided yet. He requested the Election Commision of Pakistan to ensure that action was taken on his petition this time.
He said, “It was the first elections where results were not announced till 2pm on the day after polling. Most of my polling agents were not provided with results by the presiding officers. The ECP should not ignore such incidents.”
He said he had also informed his party colleagues about his complaint.
He said he had video proof of rigging that he would provide to the media after gathering all evidence.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 13th, 2013.
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Unfortunately ECP supported rigging by 1- By deputing less polling staff in poling stations. It many instances it was observed that Only two booths were setup for 2000 voters, while in villages usually it took an average 5 minutes to cast a single Vote on one Booth. 2- No adequate security was provided to poling staff. Only one police man was present on Male both and one for Female booth. Poling staff was intimidated. 3- No army / Rangers were deputed on each poling stations. Was ECP not aware of the situations which prevails on poling station at such time? When helped was asked by presiding officers it did not come until very serious events took place. 4- No Training was provided to poling staff. Poling staff was called few days back for the training but only attendance was marked and they were given information about location of poling station.
This is scenario of complete failure of Election Commission of Pakistan. Who failed to properly prepare voter lists, establish proper Nos of Poling stations/ poling Booths, provision of security at poling stations and provision of proper training to staff.
Not only in his constituency but there was widespread rigging all over the country. The caretaker setup was extremely week and thoroughly failed to provide transparent process or electoral. Analysts are unanimous that even the elections in 2008 and 2002 were more transparent. There were far fewer reported incidents of rigging.
When he says so he must be right, for he is an honorable man.