Probing rigging ‘fraud’: Govt to get ECP official summoned as witness

Will submit list of relevant officials before inquiry commission

ISLAMABAD:

The government has decided to ask the judicial inquiry commission probing charges of vote fraud in the 2013 election to summon additional secretary election commission Sher Afgan as a key witness with all the relevant pre- and post-poll documents.

A list of relevant officials of the ECP as witnesses would also be submitted by the government’s legal team before a three-judge commission, headed by Chief Justice Nasirul Mulk, on Monday (today). The ruling party’s focus is on the ECP to clarify the allegations of irregularities levelled by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).



“Since there is not a single objection levelled against the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), therefore, we would find no reason to call any leader of the PML-N,” Shahid Hamid, counsel for the government, told The Express Tribune while confirming the development that the ECP witnesses are the key to clearing all the ‘misconceptions’.

During cross-examination and in evidence submitted by the opposition parties, the PML-N was absolved of any allegations and the ECP was held responsible for certain violations and irregularities, said the government’s attorney, adding, “Therefore, it would be better to call relevant officials of the ECP for cross-examination instead of any politician.”

He said opposition parties did not implicate any minister or leader of the ruling party to prove systematic rigging as per second term of reference (ToR) of the judicial commission. “The legal gurus of the political parties focused on irregularities committed by the ECP but they did not touch the issue of rigging by design,” the PML-N counsel said.

In its written reply, the government gave reference of the relevant record of the ECP to respond to the fraud allegations. Apparently, the main opposition parties PPP (Pakistan Peoples Party) and PTI are on the same page to identify loopholes in the general elections, while the ruling party and the ECP are united against all critics.

The judicial commission would resume its hearing on Monday (today) for cross-examination of five witnesses. They are: Printing Corporation of the Pakistan Press (PCPP) managing director Karachi Muzaffar Ali Chandio, PCPP MD Lahore Mohammad Rafique, PCPP Islamabad MD Moosa Raza Affandi, Postal Foundation Press Islamabad MD Ejaz Ahmed Minhas and Pakistan Security Printing Corporation Karachi MD Rizwan Ahmed.

Ahead of the cross-examination, the government through additional documents/evidences had clarified that the process of printing and delivery of ballot papers for the polls was delayed because of outdated printing machines, shortage of manpower and capacity issues.

Claiming that the ECP took all the major decisions in consultation with political parties, the government in its response made it clear that private corporations printed ballots under the supervision of the army. The ruling PML-N incorporated this aspect repeatedly in its reply to satisfy the qualms of opposition parties.

The PTI task force head Ishaq Khakwani said the party has dropped the idea to call former chief election commissioner Fakhruddin G Ibrahim. He also said the PPP would request for cross-examination of former chairman NADRA Tariq Malik, who is living abroad.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 11^th, 2015.