PTI demands thumb impression audit, PML-N says no
Saad Rafique says ink used by ECP for thumb impressions during the elections was of low quality.
"I sincerely believe in the sanctity of Pakistan Army," says Khwaja Saad Rafique. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) on Friday asked the ruling party, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), to sign an agreement together to determine the level of rigging in seven constituencies and also demanded a thumb impression audit.
The ruling party rejected PTI’s offer.
Speaking in the National Assembly, Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique said that PML-N is ready to recount votes and verify records, but PTI’s request for a thumb impression audit in the constituencies is not acceptable.
Rafique said that the ink used by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for thumb impressions during the elections was of low quality.
He suggested that the PTI, after they conduct their protest, should sit down with the government and decide on a procedure to identify rigging.
Rafique also said that a fact-finding commission should investigate rigging.
“We will appear before the commission as the accused,” he said. “ECP’s mistake cannot be shifted onto our shoulders.”
PTI rejected the suggestion made by PML-N to form a fact-finding committee.
Earlier on Wednesday, Rafique himself had suggested that eight constituencies be investigated.
Vice-Chairperson PTI Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that in the past such committees have failed to move beyond two fruitless meetings.
During the proceedings, Qureshi appealed to the people to take part in PTI’s protest on May 11.
He also said, "We were consulted for the appointment of chief election commissioner but PTI was not consulted on the appointment of four provincial commissioners of the commission.”
He also said that the resignation of former Chief Election Commissioner Fakhruddin G Ibrahim should be investigated.
Qureshi added that despite being provided evidence, ECP was not ready to file a comprehensive reply to the Supreme Court on PTI’s petition regarding rigging.
“We want to know why ECP was not punished for using fake magnetic ink during elections,” Qureshi said.
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) on Friday asked the ruling party, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), to sign an agreement together to determine the level of rigging in seven constituencies and also demanded a thumb impression audit.
The ruling party rejected PTI’s offer.
Speaking in the National Assembly, Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique said that PML-N is ready to recount votes and verify records, but PTI’s request for a thumb impression audit in the constituencies is not acceptable.
Rafique said that the ink used by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for thumb impressions during the elections was of low quality.
He suggested that the PTI, after they conduct their protest, should sit down with the government and decide on a procedure to identify rigging.
Rafique also said that a fact-finding commission should investigate rigging.
“We will appear before the commission as the accused,” he said. “ECP’s mistake cannot be shifted onto our shoulders.”
PTI rejected the suggestion made by PML-N to form a fact-finding committee.
Earlier on Wednesday, Rafique himself had suggested that eight constituencies be investigated.
Vice-Chairperson PTI Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that in the past such committees have failed to move beyond two fruitless meetings.
During the proceedings, Qureshi appealed to the people to take part in PTI’s protest on May 11.
He also said, "We were consulted for the appointment of chief election commissioner but PTI was not consulted on the appointment of four provincial commissioners of the commission.”
He also said that the resignation of former Chief Election Commissioner Fakhruddin G Ibrahim should be investigated.
Qureshi added that despite being provided evidence, ECP was not ready to file a comprehensive reply to the Supreme Court on PTI’s petition regarding rigging.
“We want to know why ECP was not punished for using fake magnetic ink during elections,” Qureshi said.