Reports of rigging: Re-election in four polling stations of NA-41

Jirga participants protest against decision, threaten to use physical force.

DERA ISMAIL KHAN:

Results of four polling stations of NA-41 South Waziristan have been cancelled and a re-election will be held in the stations, the agency’s political agent (PA) Shahidullah announced on Tuesday.

Talking to the media at the Political Compound Tank, Shahidullah, who is also the agency’s returning officer (RO), said the decision was made on the request of various candidates who alleged rigging in Khar Ghundai, Khan Kot, Wacha Dana and a female polling station in Dab Kot, Wana.



Shahidullah further added that re-elections will be held on a day decided by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

Meanwhile, a jirga of tribal elders was held in Kari Kot village, Wana against the RO’s decision.

The jirga comprised of tribal elders supporting Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) candidate Ghalib Khan Advocate who is leading from all stations except the four from where the results have been cancelled. Ali Wazir, an independent candidate, is the likely runner-up from the constituency.

The jirga decided to boycott the re-election and demanded the RO to declare the winner. The members also claimed re-election will be stopped through the use of force and if any mishap or disturbance occurs, the political administration of South Waziristan will be held responsible.

Elders who spoke at the jirga included Abbas Khan Khujal Khel, Thoor Ashraf Khel, Shehryar Khujal Khel, Dost Muhammad Tojai Khel, Gingarai Tojai Khel, Nawab Khan Dottani, Haji Zaman Sirki Khel, Idrees Mughal Khan Khel and Qismat Khan Gangi Khel.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s NA-41 candidate Ajab Gul Wazir told The Express Tribune rigging was done in most of the polling stations, claiming that in some places a single person cast several votes with the support of polling officers and the presiding officer. “Even computerised identity cards of women were used to cast votes in some places. It would be fair to hold the election again.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 15^th, 2013.