Probing 2013 elections: PPP takes U-turn on evidence

Says it will rely on the proof the PTI will present before the judicial commission


Azam Khan May 02, 2015
Aitzaz Ahsan. PHOTO: AFP

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) took a U-turn from its erstwhile stance to present evidence of alleged rigging in the May 2013 general elections before the judicial commission. It has decided to solely rely upon the evidences to be presented by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

“The PPP has absolved itself of the challenging task to identify the perpetrators, while shifting the onus of responsibility onto the PTI’s shoulders,” a party leader conceded while talking to The Express Tribune on Friday.

The political parties claiming that the elections were rigged have been asked by the General Elections 2013 Inquiry Commission, investigating the vote fraud allegations, to fill out a questionnaire asking the parties if the polls were ‘systematically’ rigged and, if so, to identify the perpetrators. In his reply to the commission, headed by Chief Justice Nasirul Mulk, PPP’s central leader Aitzaz Ahsan stated: “They will not file any additional document or furnish a list of witnesses but will rely on the documents produced by the PTI.”



On April 29, the last date of hearing, the PTI and the PPP told the inquiry panel that it was the commission’s responsibility to gather evidences on rigging. The PTI also said as it was an opposition party in the national and Punjab assemblies, it could not have direct access to all the material and evidence.

However, PTI chief Imran Khan recently announced at a press conference that his party would submit evidences of rigging in 74 constituencies to show how the general elections were rigged and managed in favour of one party.

On May 5, the commission will resume its hearing and look into the evidence and material provided by the PTI or any other political party. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) would be able to cross-examine the witnesses.

The judicial commission further incorporated in its record that the counsel [Aitzaz Ahsen] pressed his application for reopening of the bags containing the election material of a proportion of the total number of the constituencies. The commission further observed that “the counsel may provide a list of such constituencies so that notices be issued to the returned candidates”.

Former governor Punjab Sardar Latif Khosa and PPP senator Aitzaz Ahsan are representing PPP before the inquiry commission.

MQM, PTI, BNP, MDM and PML-Q have already filed their replies to the questionnaire provided to all the parties on the last date of hearing. The PML-Q has requested the poll probe commission to summon the chiefs of ISI and MI as witnesses to produce evidence of rigging in the 2013 elections

The government’s counsel Shahid Hamid said that PML-Q assaulted and insulted the judiciary while recommending the ISI and MI level inquiry commission to probe the serving judges of the apex court. He also said the PTI did not spare anyone for 2013 rigging allegations.

On last hearing, the counsel representing the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) undertook to file reply to the application of the petitioner within two days.

In consultation with all the counsels representing the political parties it was decided that the political parties may examine their own witness on oath to bring on record appropriate documents and may provide list of witnesses that they wish the commission to summon, along with brief statement of the purpose for which they are to be examined.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 2nd, 2015.

COMMENTS (12)

raider | 8 years ago | Reply @Ali: dear, wrongdoing is witnessed and reported when record of any process is being maintained for the purpose, i can just estimate that you have not any acquaintance with election process, record of all election process is sealed and handed over to returning officer, NIC# and thumb impressions of voters are maintained on counter foils, form 14 and 15 containing serial number of all used ballot papers and unused ballot papers with individual votes of each candidates are submitted to compile results, there are all evidences, how a political party could have documented record which is officially sealed and lying at Govt offices, procedure is so simple but if you want to investigate otherwise noora kushti would be aimed to obfuscate all this.
Ali | 8 years ago | Reply So after all hue and cry, there is no tangible evidence. The judicial commission should decide on the basis of proof, whatever that is, submitted by PTI. I ask PTI supporters where is the 35 puncture audio tape and other irrefutable evidences it said it had. Shame on PTI
VIEW MORE COMMENTS
Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ