Rigging allegations: Candidates from three FATA constituencies demand re-election
Threaten to continue protests until an impartial election is held.
Nisar said if repolling could be carried out in NA-250, Karachi then it can be done in his constituency as well. PHOTO: CREATIVE COMMONS
PESHAWAR:
Candidates from three Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) constituencies – NA-36, NA-41 and NA-44 – have alleged rigging on Election Day and demanded the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to conduct a re-election in their respective constituencies.
The candidates from NA-36 Mohmand Agency along with workers of various political parties held a demonstration on Sher Shah Suri Road outside the Peshawar Press Club on Monday.
The protesters led by independent candidate Nisar Mohmand carried placards and black flags and chanted slogans against the political administration, demanding a re-election. Nisar said if re-polling could be carried out in NA-250, Karachi then it can be done in his constituency as well.
“It was the establishment and the political administration which selected the winning candidates,” alleged Nisar, claiming the public was not allowed to utilise its right to vote in the agency.
Another independent candidate, Rahim Shah Mohmand, alleged: “The political administration has received millions in bribes from the candidate who has been declared the winner.” Rahim added they would continue to protest until re-election under an impartial authority is announced.
Both candidates threatened to hold a sit-in at D-Chowk, Islamabad from Tuesday (today) onwards until their demands were met.
Meanwhile, in another press conference at the Peshawar Press Club, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) candidate from NA-41 South Waziristan, Ajab Gul Wazir, also alleged rigging on May 11. The ECP had earlier announced re-polling in four stations in NA-41; Wazir demanded a re-election in the entire constituency.
Separately, candidates from NA-44 Bajaur Agency – PTI’s Guldad Khan, independent candidate Sardar Khan and Pakistan Peoples Party’s Alamzaib Khan – demanded a re-election in NA-44.
Claiming massive rigging, the candidates accused the political administration of Bajaur and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Shaukatullah Khan of favouring their own candidate.
“The ballot boxes were taken at gunpoint by the political administration and we were told that counting would be done in the political agent’s office,” alleged Sardar Khan.
The candidates demanded the ECP to conduct a re-election in the agency under an impartial authority.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 21st, 2013.
Candidates from three Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) constituencies – NA-36, NA-41 and NA-44 – have alleged rigging on Election Day and demanded the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to conduct a re-election in their respective constituencies.
The candidates from NA-36 Mohmand Agency along with workers of various political parties held a demonstration on Sher Shah Suri Road outside the Peshawar Press Club on Monday.
The protesters led by independent candidate Nisar Mohmand carried placards and black flags and chanted slogans against the political administration, demanding a re-election. Nisar said if re-polling could be carried out in NA-250, Karachi then it can be done in his constituency as well.
“It was the establishment and the political administration which selected the winning candidates,” alleged Nisar, claiming the public was not allowed to utilise its right to vote in the agency.
Another independent candidate, Rahim Shah Mohmand, alleged: “The political administration has received millions in bribes from the candidate who has been declared the winner.” Rahim added they would continue to protest until re-election under an impartial authority is announced.
Both candidates threatened to hold a sit-in at D-Chowk, Islamabad from Tuesday (today) onwards until their demands were met.
Meanwhile, in another press conference at the Peshawar Press Club, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) candidate from NA-41 South Waziristan, Ajab Gul Wazir, also alleged rigging on May 11. The ECP had earlier announced re-polling in four stations in NA-41; Wazir demanded a re-election in the entire constituency.
Separately, candidates from NA-44 Bajaur Agency – PTI’s Guldad Khan, independent candidate Sardar Khan and Pakistan Peoples Party’s Alamzaib Khan – demanded a re-election in NA-44.
Claiming massive rigging, the candidates accused the political administration of Bajaur and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Shaukatullah Khan of favouring their own candidate.
“The ballot boxes were taken at gunpoint by the political administration and we were told that counting would be done in the political agent’s office,” alleged Sardar Khan.
The candidates demanded the ECP to conduct a re-election in the agency under an impartial authority.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 21st, 2013.