ECP asks PTI to present its evidence against allegations of extra ballot papers
ECP secretary says owner of printing press accused of printing extra ballot papers has been served a legal notice
ISLAMABAD:
Amid the deepening controversy surrounding the May 2013 general election, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday presented a ‘fact sheet’ to the electoral reforms committee challenging Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) allegations that extra ballot papers were published during last year’s polls.
The ECP maintained that the 2013 general elections had been applauded in the country’s history and asked PTI to present their evidence that extra ballot papers were published in Urdu Bazaar, Lahore, as per their claim.
“…In the fitness of things to propose that those quarters who have leveled these allegations should prove the allegations before the appropriate forum,” ECP Secretary Ishtiak Ahmed Khan said, claiming they have the record of every single ballot paper printed.
Briefing the 33-member parliamentary panel headed by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, the ECP secretary said that the owner of the printing press in Urdu Bazaar, Lahore, who had been accused of printing extra ballot papers, had been served a legal notice.
“We are a constitutional body and had issued a rebuttal but cannot deliver speeches on it,” the secretary candidly responded to a question on why the ECP had not clarified allegations leveled against it earlier.
“The entire record containing the names of representatives of the returning officers (ROs) along with details of the exact number of ballot paper books handed over to them is available with the government’s printing presses which can be produced as and when required by any competent forum that may be appointed for the purpose of investigations,” Khan said.
Refuting allegations of extra ballot papers printed in five divisions of Punjab, the secretary said, “It is a matter of record that in all these five divisions, almost 100% of the ballot papers had already been distributed to the ROs by May 9, 2013, who had carried out bulk breaking of these ballot papers and prepared the sealed bags containing ballot papers for handing over to the presiding officers the day before the polls on May 10, 2013.”
During the meeting, the Printing Corporation of Pakistan (PCP) also briefed the panel regarding the printing process of ballot papers.
Khan explained the procedure for selection of specified paper used for ballot papers and its printing under the supervision of army troops. However, Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rasheed protested that, “People are printing fake currency notes, including US dollar and you are saying that paper is not available in the market.”
PTI chief Imran Khan has repeatedly alleged that extra ballot papers were printed by a private printing press in Lahore and that these extra ballots were used to stuff boxes to rig elections. While PTI members were not present in Monday's meeting, Rashid attended the meeting and raised several questions and left before the meeting concluded.
Amid the deepening controversy surrounding the May 2013 general election, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday presented a ‘fact sheet’ to the electoral reforms committee challenging Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) allegations that extra ballot papers were published during last year’s polls.
The ECP maintained that the 2013 general elections had been applauded in the country’s history and asked PTI to present their evidence that extra ballot papers were published in Urdu Bazaar, Lahore, as per their claim.
“…In the fitness of things to propose that those quarters who have leveled these allegations should prove the allegations before the appropriate forum,” ECP Secretary Ishtiak Ahmed Khan said, claiming they have the record of every single ballot paper printed.
Briefing the 33-member parliamentary panel headed by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, the ECP secretary said that the owner of the printing press in Urdu Bazaar, Lahore, who had been accused of printing extra ballot papers, had been served a legal notice.
“We are a constitutional body and had issued a rebuttal but cannot deliver speeches on it,” the secretary candidly responded to a question on why the ECP had not clarified allegations leveled against it earlier.
“The entire record containing the names of representatives of the returning officers (ROs) along with details of the exact number of ballot paper books handed over to them is available with the government’s printing presses which can be produced as and when required by any competent forum that may be appointed for the purpose of investigations,” Khan said.
Refuting allegations of extra ballot papers printed in five divisions of Punjab, the secretary said, “It is a matter of record that in all these five divisions, almost 100% of the ballot papers had already been distributed to the ROs by May 9, 2013, who had carried out bulk breaking of these ballot papers and prepared the sealed bags containing ballot papers for handing over to the presiding officers the day before the polls on May 10, 2013.”
During the meeting, the Printing Corporation of Pakistan (PCP) also briefed the panel regarding the printing process of ballot papers.
Khan explained the procedure for selection of specified paper used for ballot papers and its printing under the supervision of army troops. However, Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rasheed protested that, “People are printing fake currency notes, including US dollar and you are saying that paper is not available in the market.”
PTI chief Imran Khan has repeatedly alleged that extra ballot papers were printed by a private printing press in Lahore and that these extra ballots were used to stuff boxes to rig elections. While PTI members were not present in Monday's meeting, Rashid attended the meeting and raised several questions and left before the meeting concluded.