1) Election tribunals have failed to decide cases — Around 410 election petitions were filed by losing candidates before the 14 election tribunals established across the country. As of last month, 292 petitions, i.e., 73 per cent of all cases, have already been decided by election tribunals. This is unprecedented when compared with the disposal rate of election tribunals in previous elections.
2) Judges of election tribunals were appointed under a faulty process by a biased Election Commission of Pakistan — In previous elections, high court judges were burdened with the responsibility to decide petitions after completing their usual day’s work. Now, election tribunals are manned by retired judges, whose only work is to decide election cases. The ECP did not appoint these judges. Each of the election tribunal judges were proposed by the respective chief justices of the provincial high courts.
3) Election tribunals are purposely going slow — It is correct that election tribunals were not able to meet the 120-day deadline to decide cases. One reason for the delay is the attitude of many losing candidates. Take for example the case of petition number 344 of 2013, Usman Dar vs Khawaja Asif. In its decision, the tribunal wrote: “The way the petitioner avoided to enter the witness box and disregarded the directions of this tribunal on the pretext of business tour abroad, provides a basis to infer that he was/is no more interested in the matter. Costs of adjournments to the tune of Rs30,000/- have not been paid by the petitioner till date. It appears that after filing the election petition, the petitioner lost interest in the election dispute and then attempted to prolong the trial ... the petitioner failed to prove the allegations ... (and) the election petition is found to be without any merit and is accordingly dismissed ... .”
4) If election tribunals decided the PTI’s cases, the PML-N government would collapse — The PTI candidates filed a total of 58 petitions challenging National and provincial assembly elections in various constituencies. Of these, 39 petitions, i.e., 70 per cent have already been decided by the election tribunals. Unfortunately for the PTI, none of the 39 cases were successful. Now, only 19 PTI petitions remain to be decided. Even if each of these is decided in the PTI’s favour, it will not dent the overall election result.
5) Election tribunals are favouring the PML-N — Thus far, 10 elected parliamentarians of the PML-N have been unseated by the election tribunals. This is the highest number of decisions against any political party. Judgments in only two petitions have gone against PTI candidates. Independent candidates are the biggest winners thus far with eight cases in their favour, followed by the PPP at six.
6) If the government has nothing to hide, then why is it refusing to open the cases of four seats demanded by the PTI — The election results on the four National Assembly seats, i.e., NA-110, NA-122, NA-125 and NA-154 have already been opened and are subjects of judicial inquiry by the election tribunals, which are the only forum for opening disputed results of any election. The government has no role to play here.
7) Unprecedented rigging on four seats — NA-110 was one of the four seats cited for election rigging. According to FAFEN, the number of electoral violations in NA-110 is zero. Compare this with NA-1, where Imran Khan won the election. The electoral violations here are listed as 58 by FAFEN. The point is not that the NA-1 result was manipulated simply because FAFEN listed these violations. The point is that there were approximately 90,000 polling stations across the country. Electoral law violations in some of these, deplorable as they may be, do not make these a rigged parliament.
8) The PML-N rigged elections to defeat the PTI’s Jahangir Tareen — NA-154 is another one of the four seats. Here, the PML-N is blamed for stealing Tareen’s victory. But it is interesting to note that the PML-N candidate here also lost the election. The winner was an independent candidate, Mohammad Siddik Baloch. If the PML-N wanted to rig this seat, why would its candidate come a distant third?
9) Even the PPP supports the demand to reopen result of four constituencies — The PPP is happy that the PTI is focusing attention solely on Punjab. The PPP lost a large number of safe seats in Punjab. Although this has happened before, this time, the loss threatens its very existence in Punjab. In the famous four constituencies, the PPP received an abysmal one per cent, 1.6 per cent, 2.9 per cent and five per cent of total votes cast and its candidates lost even their security deposits. Therefore, how can the PPP resist the opportunity to help de-legitimise the election results in these constituencies?
10) The PTI exhausted all forums provided by law before coming on the streets — The Representation of Peoples Act provides that the forum to contest election results is the election tribunals. Around 73 per cent of all cases have already been decided by them. Anyone aggrieved by their decisions can file an appeal in the Supreme Court as mandated by law. Rule of law is not just an empty slogan to be raised in public rallies and television talk shows. It is the foundation which we must abide by if we are to build a modern and stable Pakistan.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 4th, 2014.
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COMMENTS (132)
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@Professor Khan: Dear Sir, Ayaz Amir was not PML N candidate in 2013. He was previously elected a Member of National Assembly representing Chakwal in 2008 as a candidate of Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), he resigned from the party on 19 April 2013 after he was refused a ticket for the National Assembly for the 2013 general elections. He remained a Member of the Punjab Assembly representing Chakwal in 90's but he resigned from PML-N in 1998 but later rejoined the party after PML-N's government was overthrown by a coup, in 2002 elections he banged 70,000 in comparable to the winner’s 71,500. During this period Ayaz toed his party line and even remained steadfast in struggle against former dictator Gen (r) Pervez Musharraf for the return of the Sharif family from exile. During the days since October 1999 to 2008, Amir took part in rallies to mobilise voters and supporters. He also remained actively involved in writing columns against the dictatorial rule of Musharraf.He was elected on a PML-N ticket to the National Assembly from Chakwal representing the Constituency NA-60 in 2008 elections, he scored a record over 120,000 votes, the highest in Punjab. Your information is not up to date.
@Kashif: Imran Khan, during his Meeting at Karachi, didn't speak a word against rigging in Karachi, so we have no reason to accept that there was rigging at Karachi at least.
It is on record in the NA / Parliament that Mr Nisar has conceded that 60 to 70,000 votes are un-verified in each of provinces...taking our MOI words election of 2013 is unfair, non-transparent & hence not free...so what are we fighting about when our PML N selected MOI Mr Nisar has exposed this ? Further probe will expose more, that is why the PML N does not want to open 4 constituencies & Pandora box....
why (what i assume) are PTI supporters so quick to dismiss completely and absolutely any argument against their favor? as someone removed emotionally from this issue, I'd say such behavior casts doubts over the logic of their claims, leading readers/observers to the presumption that PTI supporters are willing to forgo reason just to satisfy the claim that IK can do no wrong.
There is only One who can do no wrong, everyone else makes mistakes. And that's ok.
I've noticed there are those who claim that rigging occurred in the previous election and that it was flawed and therefore the election was a complete fraud and failure. Really? just like that? do you LIVE in pakistan? Have you witnessed previous (attempts at) elections? Having heard, first hand, stories from friends of electoral malpractice and having seen video clips of women shhhshing others while stamping and posting fake ballots.. as im sure everyone in pakistan has over the past year.. you'd be naive fool [yea, i changed it] to believe there was no rigging or fraud. but, it seems, you'd have to be PTI to believe that every single vote cast in Pakistan in May 2013 was void because of instances of fraud. ..cause you know, given the immaculate history of elections in pakistan.. this past one was just a horrific tragedy.
alas, i'd like to hope for a citizenry that at least appreciates how far we've come and strive for a time when we can temper our emotions to let logic prevail.
A well elaborated column! All Parties who are protesting want to make Pakistan like Egypt and Libya. Please have a look a the Revolution there.
@zaheer:
2 point to ponder....
1) the election tribunal is supposed to hear all cases within 120 days after election.....done ? still many cases under review etc; except of those 4 constituencies which PTI / IK demanded...
2) EC personnel were selected by the only 2 provincial govt which was geaded by PPP & PML N...does that what constition says ? they have to be selected with consensus of all political parties....was that done ?
Hence, breed controversy.....
Unless EC goes through reform ( which was first demanded by Dr TuQ in 2013 ), this type of controversies will go on.....
the rest...hopefully Mr Mohammed`s comment will suffice everyone appetite on this subject....
A lop-sided article – totally & deliberately Pro-PML – each point is geared to put down PTI No mention of Returning Officers? PTI’s entire argument is against RO’s No mention of the missing Magnetic Ink? No mention of the NADRA unverified votes ECP was responsible to give a free and fair election – not HALF fair – or even 73% fair – its been over a year – 27% cases pending No mention as to why Ayaz Sadiq has kept delaying Tribunal hearings – do ask Zahid No mention as to the missing ballot boxes in Karachi? No mention of the missing RO’s and PO’s in a number of stations of Karachi No mention of the missing stamps, ballot papers in a number of stations of Karachi No mention of the fact that the ex-CJP addressed the RO’s for the first time in history No mention of the reason for the delay in the remaining tribunal heardings GOVT? is not involved or is it well i guess the arguments he needed to make was to attack PTI – not to present a neutral point of view being the son of Chief EC Fakhruddin Ibrahim
A mirror to PTI to see its reflection.... Well argued and comprehensive reply. This is enough to show the real hideous and hidden plans of PTI
Highly appreciated effort in the form of this article
Dear Adeel, give solid reply if you are denying someone statement, can PTI deny this at any forum? But fact is we all are not comfortable with the truth because we are living in the world of lies. Deceiving ourselves. @Adeel:
I think fafen response clarifies everything so he misquoted Fafen.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/744644/electoral-rigging-fafens-clarification/
Also he should clearly wrote in the bio, he is not mere a supreme court lawyer but also ex Chief election commissioner son which atleast I found from media.
He is a party.
@Maddy Yes you should give IK a chance so as others but wait for 2018.
I don't see the point of these articles.. am I suppose to hate on PTI after this? Because all I know is, Shareefs/Bhuttos/Chaudhrys got almost 30 yrs of governance combined so far....and the state of my beloved country is ... uhmm.. see for yourself.
WHY a person in the right frame of their mind, NOT give IK a chance?
Things won't get any worse then what they already are..
Mr Bilal.Don't try to tell how decent PTI supporters are.We have see the decency of PMN supporters in the form of Gulo But in Lahore last months.Rigging did take place in the last election.Any one who does not accept is in denial phase.
The writer is the son of then election commissioner ... Who resigned and accepted that he failed to conduct free and fair election. The writer should first sit whith his dad and give him all the reasons. By the way we shall avoid colflict of interest which is an unknown commodity in Pakistan
Very informative and antithetic view on this issue. But it will be dumped by PTI trolls because they don't want to act like decent people. They are so called literate and liberal.
Rebuttal to the article written by son of respectable Previous Chief Election Commission: http://think-pk.blogspot.com/2014/08/answer-to-10-truths-by-zahid-f-ebrahim.html Reports of PILDAT, FAFEN and EU on election irregularities http://www.siasat.pk/forum/showthread.php?271188-Rigging-in-2013-Elections-With-Irrefutable-Proofs
Salute the author on presenting the facts and articulating in the best possible manner.
PTI Folks: For once can you stop accusing anybody and everybody of bribery just like your leader. If you want to do a positive discussion, counter the facts with facts of your own. You have been quoting FAFEN, so lets look at FAFEN's report on NA-1, where one polling station got 3200 votes instead of registered 850. Grow some brains, and if not delegate the thinking to someone else, as you are too overawed by IK's personality. IK himself is an honest man, but his cronjes around him are leading him and his party to a disaster.
@Muhammad Sohail:
well said munna
A very balanced article purely based on facts. I don't like the way PMLN is running the show but on the other side PTI stance looks quite shallow when they put everything on current GOVT. while conducting election was responsibility of caretaker govt. Cheif execuitives of Federal and punjab both were appointed by PPP. Election commission was appointed with as per Constitution, so by no mean govt. can be held responsible. Secondly why PTI is putting total pressure in Punjab, not looking Sindh and KPK at all. I red some comments of PTI support noone is ready to logically answer the authors point only look for that he has been paid for this. Grow up please everything is not for sale.
Completely biased and again deceiving the Nation.. The problem with today people in Pakistan is whatever someone write, they get agree to it without digging into what are the real fact. They just start believing someone biased analysis as the words of the Holy Book.. Pity for them.
I wonder why Mr Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim did not come up his own views on the validity or otherwise of this election. If he was not up to the task,he should not have accepted it. This article is proof of the lawyer's command over language.no more no less. Disappointed!
This guy's blog is worth reading as well
http://blogs.tribune.com.pk/story/23524/can-evidence-against-pml-n-ever-be-found/
One myth about this article: 'a well written and accurate article' - where in fact it is clearly misleading and inaccurate as well as missing the crucial point that PTI has over and again emphasised that Pakistan needs free and fair election as a first critical step towards recovery and a better future
I have been following the elections in Pak and its aftermath..Instead of quoting selective facts can you simply answer one question- In the only major Punjab seat that has been opened NA 118 they found more than 30k votes of 98 k that were checked without counterfoils (thats clearly votes coming from angels, mind you it is not issue of magnetic ink but simply additional votes without any back-up record)..
In such a case the logical next step should have been to arrest the RO of NA118 to find where these votes are coming from and then to conduct similar exercise for other punjab seats.. In India it is the powerful EC when it discovers any wrong doing goes really hard as it becomes a matter of its own credibility whereas here the EC is bending over backwards to somehow hide the rigging done by PML (N)..If thats the case why go through the charade of tribunals just like many of petitions dismissed on technical grounds to have 74% resolution rate, close other petitions too to have 100% rate without bothering the verification/..
The very simple test of fairness of the election is to recheck/reproduce back the material/results if even that can not be done then its a sham which will go on again n again..
http://tribune.com.pk/story/744644/electoral-rigging-fafens-clarification/
To all my pmln friends taking this article as gospel. Please also read FAFEN's view on this article.
Suddenly the 10 truths seem to be half-truths and fiction.
Epic fail!
All those people who are bashing Express Tribune for publishing this article, criticizing Zahid F Ebrahim for authoring this article, Condemning Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim to giving birth to Zahid F Ebrahim and Judging Majority of the Population for voting PML-N, if what you are saying is true then why you comments are being published here?
If ET is biased then they should censor your hate speech too!
A better option would be to write an article as a reply!
Zahid F Ebrahim is an advocate of the Supreme Court and this is one of the reason I believe what he has said! And in fact I agree with him even more because he is raised by a respected Law Maker and Law Implementer i.e. Justice (Retd.) Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim who Governed Sindh in a very well way and was instrumental in the creation of CPLC.
If you like a party's vision and mission then support it. But don''t get yourselves involved in the character assassination of other people.
Oh and no politician in Pakistan is John Connor or Neo neither their parties are the Last Front against the Deadly Machines.
Be a Citizen not a Cult Follower!
People Voted PML-N because they liked their performance in Punjab! The same people didn't Voted PPPP because they failed to deliver what they promise!
PTI should simply create an example of Good Governance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and next time the majority will vote them too!
And Majority doesn't uses Social Media! They are poor! Uneducated! And they live in the Rural Areas! Convince them and get yourself voted!
as they say: "there are lies, and then there are statistics"
What does the author have to say about the latest finding of the Election Tribunal. The tribunal had ordered the recounting in 33 polling stations of Gujranwala PP-97.
During the recounting process 33 vote bags were found without any stamps and the bags did not bear any signature or seal of election commission. The result sheets formulated were also not made in the sheets which election commission provided.
And yet PML (N) is an honourable party!
Ask him why suddenly Fahkru Bhai resigned as Chief EC right after election ?
IK and co would not ever be successful in there evil plans.. In Sha Allah!
A PTI leader when asked due to the protest there is danger of army taking over the reply was that the Americans have assured that the army will not interfere. It is enough to understand on who's agenda PTI is working on.
My second attempt at a comment : Sir your father had a responsibility to ensure that the RIGHT people stood for elections. When he saw this would not happen resulting in the elections being but a sham selection process......he should have stepped down. Doing so would have had far more impact than the sorry looking impotent role played.
Faulty analysis based on selective evidence / anecdotes. PML-N came into power by systemic rigging in Pakistan, it is an open secret to which the whole of the nation is privy to. If PML-N is popular then I would expect to see their voters on the street as well against PTI. If their mandate was real then people of Pakistan would not be so desperate to get rid off them.
@Urooj Hussein: You are probably in a denial phase.If there is nothing to hide why Mr Ayaz Sadiq and Mr Saad Rafique took a stay order from Punjab High court against votes varification recommended by Election Tribunal?.There are ample proof of atleast 4 current ministers in PMLN cabnet who won the election by massive scale rigging.
This guy came up to save his father's credibility...
Very nice written article.. EYE-OPENER.
@Kamran Shah: He do not talk about rigging in Karachi, Sindh or Baloachistan.. his Pakistan is central Punjab.
Beautifully Narrated Article! There have been more truths to the story which perhaps the writer forgot to mention due to lack of time i.e; the mechanism of election which includes the role of ROs, magnetic ink, thumb impressions etc. Hence, the writer is stating and proving the everything went well during the elections.
I am thankful to the writer for making us believe that we are living in a perfect place where there is justice & equality for every party and individual. All we need is to follow the system which come how has never been able to bring any change a common mans life. Pakistan however is progressing by leaps and bounds :-)
No wonder why the writer has put up things in such a systematic manner and giving explanations and justifications for each point. No Offence, but I am happy at least that the best one can expect from a SC advocate ! :-)
@Malveros: Lot of PTI people are reading this, as is visible from comments, but the so-called educated followers have lost the capability to think and analyze (or they are following PTI because they lacked it in the first place)
A great insight into the elections process. But the Burger Kidz cannot understand the language of logical reasoning ....
NA-110 Sialkot Facts PMLN Winning Candidate Khawaja Mohammad Asif PTI Contesting Candidate Usman Dar
Since 21-Nov-2013 Mr. Usman Dar has been pleading with the court for the Election Tribunal to order thumb verification of all the votes cast in his constituency from NADRA in May-11 General Elections, 2013.
Thereafter the learned Tribunal kept on adjourning the case instead of announcing order for comparison of thumb impression, on the lame excuses. The Tribunal took refuge for delaying his orders till the pending writ petition of Mr. Hamid Zaman NA-118 was decided by the Lahore High Court. The tribunal gave the understanding that whatever the High Court decided in the writ petition, the same would be applicable to Usman Dar Request.
In the meantime, to show efficiency and disposal of the other trivial matters, the tribunal directed Usman Dar to complete his evidence, which was actually not needed. However as per direction of the Tribunal Usman Dar adduced his evidence and his statement was also recorded in this regard. When the time for cross examination of Mr. Dar came, he had to go abroad in connection with his overseas business engagement. The Tribunal did not adjourn the case for 2-3 days so that Usman Dar could appear for cross examination and so that the petition of Usman Dar was dismissed by an illegal order against which appeal is now pending before Supreme Court of Pakistan.
Unfortunately some of you have read this article with a certain perspective otherwise it's more a statistical fact story rather than a party's stand. When ever we wish to see our dreams should become real time reality we tend to reject and disregard any logic and that's the mindset which is destructive .Let PTI try this too and hopefully they will also learn that the poor masses are not interested in Any Rally and will wait for 2018 to decide on merit
looks like fakhru bhai dictated this article to his son, nice try lets not hope u carry on his legacy!!!
Lolz it seems that the rigging which I saw by my own eyes and in videos was just a dream. Thank you Mr Writer for clearing that this Election was the most Free and Fair election of Pakistan.
@Kamran Shah: thanks for letting us know he son of fakhro bahi same fakhro bahi who was saying to Gen kiyani who sitting infront of him on meeting plz pay my slam to Gen kiyani . he should ask his dad what hapened at election day but fakhro bahi was sleeping and helpless i guess
@Syed Ali Raza Zaidi: its just like gallup by gillani not real gallup this for sure paid article by pmln they r masters of these kind of tactis beleiving money works everywehere
Yes ... Now this is the reality... good job author.... whaf if.... if he is the son of fakhrru bhai.. pti appreciated his appointment as CEC... PTI dont want to hear the truth... they only want IK as PM of pakistan at any cost... but it cant happen....
The author should have disclosed he is the son of the ex CEC Fakhruddin G Ibrahim.
Bahi I personally submitted a rigging complaint in punjab .. an election lost by few hundred votes and I had with me hundreds of vote which were not counted .. and here is the best part losing candidate was from PMLN .... the party didnt help him .. I did and I am PTI supporter .. so please spare us your drawing room level analysis of what happened in the elections
In my opinion this article is so simple and straight and the writer has enclosed the Arabian Sea in a Tank. Everyone is understanding but Imran Khan is not because he is in the AIR at the moment...he will come down soon. At the moment Government is ready to accept all his suggestion but after 14th August Imran will not have any option.
In my opinion Mr. Khan is crazy and in lust of Premier Ship, which I think he can never have, this is my spiritual feelings. I also pray to ALLAH, the only and true lord that Imran Khan should not become the PM of Pakistan. He already mis-leaded the young generation of Pakistan. Instead of giving them ideas for education and growth he took them on road.
May ALLAH bless him.
@Muhammad My friend learn difference between facts and opinion. The author is providing mere facts with numbers and your response is purely your opinion. This is exactly the problem here.
This is your opinion that courts are rubber stamp of PMLN and it is your opinion that PPP is in no mode to overthrow a pmln government and I am not sure what you even mean by Independent candidates joining PMLN? I mean do you guys want to regulate / tell every one what they should do to make you happy.
@Malik Actually these facts have been stated many many many times by Pervez Rasheed and Rafique and many others. Only if you are not blind and deaf in your following of IK.
@Adeel: U seem to be blind to facts stated,that all others can see clearly
@abdul razzaq chishti: Someone claiming to be FAFEN does not mean he is FAFEN.
OK so these are facts and the issue of RO's is not mentions. How is issue of RO's is relevant to PMLN? Why this movement against PMLN when the entire argument is on false pretext.
I have question for PTI folks. Say you are successful (Which WILL NEVER HAPPEN) and NS gives up government. What than? You will not be part of any care taker set up. Some one else will be. Say that some one else will change some thing in ECP right fully and there are elections. What if the loser of that election don't accept and after 1 years ( because loadshedding will still be there and most other problems) again start getting people out. Any one can get 40K-50K out and have chaos created. Where and when will this stop? If PMLN after losing government is not part of the caretaker set up or PPP, do you think they will agree to changes and when and if they lose wont they get people out.
This chaos offcourse will not get PTI any thing but may put Pakistan on huge risk. I think IK greed for power is getting better of himself.
the people who are praising this article should read FAFEN;s clarification
@Kamran Shah: You know what's the funniest thing about your comment? No, no, it's not that you labelled the writer as paid. That's routine. What's funniest is that you actually think CJP addressing RO's is an argument against rigging.
@Jawaid: you know maybe pple in pak like being treated like slaves by thier masters and return thier masters are slaves to usa uk & saudi & by the way thts pmln & ppp & mqm etc not pti cus IK will not take orders from past master or anyone else & he cares his country & his pple & when care u dont miss treat
Well written Mr. Zahid F Ebrahim. We lack such kind of logical statements and articles. Thanks for clearing me. I had intended to join the march, but your article now stopped me to go to such a daydreamer person's march such as Imran. you article reminded me Jamima Khan's twit as she had written once (Level of confidence? Imran saying goodbye to his sons last week, " Well boys, next time you will come to Pakistan, "I will be its leader")
Here is the other side of the story which the author should read as well:
http://www.insaf.pk/mediagallery/blogs/17795-chronological-events-and-trends-related-to-rigging-by-danish-khan
on the whole well balanced article. i think the following should have also been mentioned. Total 394 Election Petitions before 24 Tribunals-- PMLN 66; PTI 58; PPP 50; JUIF 27; PMLF+Q 34; JI 13; Indep 99, etc etc
If there was even an iota of truth about the claims made in this article, Saad Rafique and Pervez Rashid would have repeated this all multiple times in detailed press conferences, but they have nothing to say in defence but sheer rhetoric and bombastic nonsense. This article is just propaganda, nothing else.
Very good and factual article. I, Asad Umar and all these intellectually corrupt politicians and PTI supporters must read UT these facts. In fact N league needs to hire someone with the capacity of Asad Umea to lie with such absolute ease to build their case. PMN team has failed on this count and I as their voter feels disgusted on this count.
Why Nadra Chairman Tariq Malik was removed?
What can we expect from son of the Election Commissioner. Go and ask why your father resigned?
Where Judges, Beaurocrats, Politicians, anchors, TV stations, Business firms, Indiviuals, Lawyers writers are booked, Here comes another......Mr. Zahid... Thanks Mr. for the work done. God'll give you reward....If this is fair analysis then Analysts ka Allah Hafiz...
Dear friend I live in sargodha.here n league win 5 seat. NA 64. Here is competion was pmln with ppp. NA 65. Competion was pmln with q league. Na 66.competition was pmln with pti. Ppp jamaat Islami. Na67. Pmln vs q legue wining candidate pmln. 108920 runerup pmlq. 97084 pti only 6964. Na68. N legue 140546. Pti. 45463.ppp 21395.
Zahid F Ebrahim... Whats with the "F" Zahid? Do you want to hide that you are the son of Fakhru bhai. The most ridiculous guy in the last election. Stop publicizing your biased opinion. You want to get rewarded with a new job, like Arsalan Iftikhar?
I am just wondering if the writer shares the "quitting" gene imparted by his dad?
When the going gets tough, the tough go quitskie!
By the way.... not 70% u can say 100% cases are solved than tell me what was the criteria to prove rigging?? by counting?? no way.. most of the cases was rejected and thus completed and by counting u cant proof rigging bcz rigging is not in counting.. rigging is in fake id cards, multiple thumb impressions.... so only Nadra verification will be accepted.
Finally a logical article. Let sanity prevail!.
Excellent and well written article but PTI followers still repeating the same rigging Mantra.
@Revolutionary:
Why don't you share the constituency of your cousin with us?
Article is only about facts. Gr8 Articla with 200% Reality and Slap on the face of PTI. True Face of Ik and PTI. Please spare this country.
Please ask your father, how he has been humiliated by CJ Iftikhar & GS of Election Commision.
Logical, analytical and convincing
Apropos article "Ten Truths about Electoral Rigging" by Zahid F Ebrahim, the article misrepresents and misquotes FAFEN's data and analysis. The article also does not make a distinction between writer's own opinion and FAFEN's findings. We are issuing a clarification to some of the points made by the writer for publication in The Express Tribune. FAFEN is an independent and non-partisan organization. For details, please read FAFEN Election Results Analysis and FAFEN Election Day Processes Analysis at www.fafen.org
Of the 70% cases decided how many were on merit? I personally know of a case of my cousin who contested against PML N independently and lost. He took the matter to the tribunal. His case was so strong that the judge is known to have uttered in private that i cant see how this case can go in PML N's favor. Later he decided in favor of PML N and a few days later paid a secret visit to my cousin's father and apologized citing immense pressure from PML N. Tell your lopsided facts and figures to someone who hasn't experienced the highhandedness firsthand. I have. According to you there is absolutely nothing wrong with the elections and everything was perfect and smooth. That itself casts doubt over your claims.
@Malveros:
Yes, we read the hilarious article and found it quite, well, hilarious. But what to expect from the gang of Malveros of raised by the League (in Latin, Malvero means Lies, Untruth)
A Big Lol..! I see why stupid People here calling the article a Fact?? I wonder how do u know if its a fact or not?
I won't read this because I love Imran Khan :)
More over, can anyone with sane.mind.imagine the.impact of pti winning 4 to 5 seats of.lahore on the future election results.and same is the case with karachi results if free and fair elections are held there. Pti is a potent force now.just accept.it. Ik has got.no.axe.of.his own to grind.he has established his credibility time.and again even well before his.political career.he may not. Have political acumen of high class but one can not question his credibilty. Adios
Hearing a petition and making decision is one thing and verification of votes through another NADAR is another. True comments on rigging can only be made when the votes are verified.
Pti has lost its way their on a power lust for the pm house nothing else
Of the 70% disposed off petitions of PTI, I can quote one as an example. The tribunal hearing the petition of Zubair Khan PTI's candidate for NA 256, dismissed the case, even after NADRA found 57000 votes bogus out of 84000 votes that were examined
http://tribune.com.pk/story/663541/na-256-tribunal-dismisses-ptis-rigging-plea/
http://tribune.com.pk/story/614719/57642-bogus-votes-cast-in-na-256-karachi-nadra-report/
I am not yet convinced because the author fails to address several things (such as NADRA findings) that do not fit his narrative. But this article does make some strong points too, and PTI must come up with a point by point rebuttal if it is to maintain any credibility
Writer failed to highlight that whatever constituencies have been audited by NADRA massive irregularities have been uncovered, leading to dismissal of NADRA chief. FAFEN also pointed out irregularities in general elections. Even ECP admitted its shortcomings such as missing magnetic ink and failing to conduct fair elections in Karachi. All of this helped to put the credibility of elections in doubt over the last one year.
@Adnan Siddiqi: Wake up from wishful dream and see the reality.
PTI, IK and the mindless knuckle heads of the sheep herd are just damp squid - plain and simple. IK's 15 minutes of fame will be up soon and with it his Yves Saint Laurent duly stitched by the Goldsmith Family would also end up in smoke.
@Ravindra Sharma: Sorry to say that you are not well informed about the voice PTI has been raising from past 14 months that if their grievences regarding electionins irregularities are not heard they will come out on the streets.Secretary EC is on the record of giving statement regarding election in Karachi at 2 pm on the election day by saying that "we are sorry to conduct free and fair elections in Karachi.
A biased pro PMLN analysis.What ever constituencies have been opened up so far has shown massive scale irregularities.If PML N have nothing to hide than why Mr Ayaz Amir and Saad Rifique took a stay order from Punjab High court against re-counting of votes and thum varification by NADRA.This stay order lasted for over 8 months.
Recent result announced by an Election Tribunal on a Sindh Asembly seat won by PML N candidate showed that only 7% votes were varifiable.Why is Election Commission so silent on the issue of disappearence of Magnetic ink?Fourteen months is a long time to hold an enquiry on this issue?
rigged piece
I would be very careful believing someone else's statistics, one should always research for one self because feeding information is quite easy as most people (not just Pakistanis but world over too) just accept an analysis as is, without performing due diligence. Also do not forget, an FIR was registered against Muddasar Rizvi, the head of FAFEN, the day after the election as he spoke on irregularities and was pretty much silenced after that. FAFEN and PILDAT have actually done extensive work on elections, their work is not known to the public at large neither are their findings. The author tries to make compelling points but to believe them you'll have to also look into the number of cases he lists without providing the judges remarks for each as well as take note of the tribunal judges (the work they have done, whether they have been fair in their dealings in the past, do they have any political association etc etc). The article also fails to mention NADRA and ECPs findings on ballots casted by ghost voters (and the newspapers have carried many of these reports). He's only taken a selective approach to advance his point, disregarding other information. It's not as straightforward as it has been presented here, something as complex as this, where so many variables are at play, hardly ever is.
how have you perceived it as true without knowing it that writer is son of person under whose supervision elections were held
hahaha just read and believe it
@Ghulam Murtaza: how have you perceived just reading article written by son of person under whos s supervision election were conducted
Appears to be Imran Khan is a psycho case ? After the electoral defeat more than a year back how he discovered that elections were rigged ? If rigged then courts are for what purpose ? Present government of Pakistan was not in power at the time of election so how they rigged ? Imran is trying to kill the fragile democracy of Pakistan and all depend upon the other democratic institutions of Pakistan how they function at the time of crisis otherwise other Sharif is waiting in the waiting room for his turn ?
After reading your article, it is clear that PML (N) did not do any rigging as per your facts and figures. Having said that, why PML (N) is not accepting the demands for four constituencies? Would you please sheds light on this. PTI wants overhauling and to be more effective Election Process of Pakistan.
This has got to be the article of the year. Is anyone from PTI reading this ?
As if Imran and PTI really wanted reform... PTI's blind followers dont believe in logic and will blast anything that makes sense. Others already know the truth...
Hmmm interesting that the writer is the sone of the then Chief Election Commissioner Fakhruddin G Ebrahim. Hence all credibility of this writer is a neutral is basically gone down the toilet. Better luck next time Fakhru bhai ;)
It is astounding that PTI cult members immediately turn towards mud-slinging if anyone states something they dislike, without considering the merit of the argument. The author has not even mentioned that out of 58 seats, only 15 are National Assembly seats that PML-N has won. In other words, if PTI won all of its filed petitions, PML-N would lose a mere 15 seats. Imran Khan must know this fact and others very well. He is merely a fraud trying to delude people into questioning the legitimacy of the electoral process and the entire political system of this country in his insatiable quest for power.
Excellent piece, very objective. I hate the way PMLN runs the government but does not make me shy away from the truth that PTI claims of massive rigging in election do not carry alot of weight.
Why PTI is focusing entirely on Punjab ? I mean there was massive (huge) rigging in Karachi, but not mention of it
Come on, you're the son of Fakhruddin G Ebrahim.
Nothing but another attempt by media to safeguard most corrupt regime that came into power with massive rigging. the author is ready to deny video evidences of election day rigging what a wisdom he has....... finally what crime can be more heinous than rigging in election
Tribune should differentiate between a valid op ed and paid advertisement!
The writer is providing facts not fiction. PTI supporters are only looking for PM seat and nothing less than that. PTI cannot win majority seats in NA in any election. Their only hope is the backdoor and agitational politics. Chaudhris of Gujrat are old and tired horses and establishment needs a new face of IK.
You might have your facts right or you might be twisting them to favor the ruling party. However one thing is for sure, if you were out there that day at a polling station, you would know the scale of the rigging, so whatever you are saying if true about election tribunals decisions on cases, then its even makes more sense to go on the streets as they will never get justice in tribunals as shown by your factsheet.
Pti folks could not bear an accurate analysis and facts related article like this. The author should be ready for their famous bashing but take a bow from my side for presenting the actual picture in front of the readers.
I am a Karachiite and I have seen the election day rigging on gun point with my own eyes in last two elections. ECP themselves admitted failure in Karachi, then nothing happened. Our election system is either fraud or inadequate. If it doesn't gets fixed now, the next elections will be the same and people will loose trust not only on the electoral system but the overall democratic setup.
strong textA very well written and balanced article leaving PTI's tall claims of election rigging to shame. As the writer points out even if each of these seats where election 'rigging' is decided in the PTI’s favour, it will not dent the overall election result. Therefore, this is certainly not a rigged parliament. Hence it seems the only thing IK wants is to destabilise the country and become PM at any cost.
I agree with writer that EC tribunal headed by esteem judge is right forum for hearing the petition.
May 2013 elections were held under supervision of agreed provional set up.
Article paid by PMLN full stop
A lop-sided article - totally & deliberately Pro-PML - each point is geared to put down PTI
No mention of Returning Officers? PTI's entire argument is against RO's No mention of the missing Magnetic Ink? No mention of the NADRA unverified votes ECP was responsible to give a free and fair election - not HALF fair - or even 73% fair - its been over a year - 27% cases pending No mention as to why Ayaz Sadiq has kept delaying Tribunal hearings - do ask Zahid No mention as to the missing ballot boxes in Karachi? No mention of the missing RO's and PO's in a number of stations of Karachi No mention of the missing stamps, ballot papers in a number of stations of Karachi No mention of the fact that the ex-CJP addressed the RO's for the first time in history No mention of the reason for the delay in the remaining tribunal heardings GOVT? is not involved or is itwell i guess the arguments he needed to make was to attack PTI - not to present a neutral point of view being the son of Chief EC Fakhruddin Ibrahim
Amazing insight of the situation. Thank you, read a great article after a while.
Did you get paid per-word or for the full article by N-league?
What a load of biased crap from the author! PMLN is going home In Shaa Allah :)
Excellent article! I would recommend all the anchors of all the TV shows to know these facts!
I'm sick of hearing ill-informed or biased anchors!
An excellent analysis of whole election process and aftermath. I don't think Imran's protests are about election rigging. Billions spent by Imran's friends on election campaign plus threats by terrorists to two main contenders, Imran started dreaming big, but he forgot that his election boycott policy since 2002 will come to hurt him. In sporting terms, he lacked serious match practice. Election is a complex game in which numerous factors change result at the last moment. As I have already said that its not about rigging. After Geo and Musharaf's disputes, he calculated that its right time to demand a snap election to right his previous blunders.
It's good to listen to a sane voice on media. Thank you for your analysis. This will help me, the next I argue with a PTI fanatic.
PTI has proved time and again that it is the establishment's agent, like the Q-league, Sheikh Rashid and Tahirul Cannadi.
a well written and accurate article , which not only sheds light on the facts but also clears ambiguities created by some political parties.
Yes but one gets much more airtime if we come on the streets.