Post-election accusations: PPP puts forward its demand for re-election

Leaders ask that ECP immediately pay attention to the complaints against rigging.

KARACHI: Leaders of the Pakistan Peoples Party lashed out at those political parties demanding re-election across Sindh on Thursday, pointing out that such demands were inviting the establishment to strength their role over the political government.

Addressing a press conference at the Karachi Press Club, PPP’s Sindh General Secretary Taj Haider, Professor ND Khan, Shazia Atta Marri and others observed that under the formula of the late Jam Sadiq, “a conspiracy was being hatched against the party to deprive it of its popularity”.

According to them, bureaucracy was once again creating difficulties for PPP as undemocratic elements carried out rigging in the May 11 elections and tried to break the rule of law.

During PPP’s tenure, the government introduced technology to identify the fake thumb impressions to NADRA and the Election Commission of Pakistan so that votes could be verified without any delay.



Haider alleged that in some parts of rural Sindh, the returning officers were acting like party workers instead of being partial officers and many polling stations witnessed rigging under the supervision of the polling officers.

Appealing to the election commission for an immediate response to applications registered by different political parties, the party leaders asked that those who have been victims of rigging should be provided justice.

The leaders demanded that the ECP immediately announce the schedule of re-election at those polling stations from where complaints of rigging have been received.

Among their demands was the posting of ECP member, Justice Roshan Essani, in Karachi so that the registered complaints could be solved urgently.

During the press conference, the candidate for NA-235 Shazia Atta Marri alleged that ECP had deployed those officers at the polling stations who were the devotees of Pir Pagara and with their support the Pakistan Muslim League-Functional “broke all records of riggings”.

She further demanded that ECP announce re- elections in NA-235 and immediately pay heed to the complaints registered with them. “The ECP, instead of being blackmailed by strikes of political parties, should pay attention to the legitimate complaints of rigging,” said Marri.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 17^th, 2013.