Election misconduct: PPP vows to take up Gandapur’s actions with ECP

DI KHAN:

Pakistan Peoples Party, an opposition party in K-P, has vowed to take action against Minister for Revenue Ali Amin Gandapur for his misconduct at a polling station in DI Khan after the Election Day.

Addressing a news conference in DI Khan on Thursday, PPP leader and former deputy speaker Faisal Karim Kundi said he would take up the matter with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

“The ECP must take action against the PTI minister for violating rules,” he said. “ECP officials should pay attention to the report submitted to the regional police officer by the DI Khan DPO.”

The DPO’s report said the revenue minister manhandled staff at Hemath Adda polling station.

Voices of dissent

Differences have also emerged between the revenue minister and Minister for Agriculture Ikramullah Gandapur over allegations against the former of stealing ballot boxes from Hemath Adda polling station.

Speaking at a news conference in DI Khan, Ikramullah said Ali Amin’s actions have brought disrespect to PTI and given its opponents a chance to point fingers at the party.

“PTI Chairman Imran Khan will not pardon those who have brought a bad name to the party,” he said.

The minister is accused of barging into the polling station on May 31 with his guards, manhandling staff and policemen and forcibly taking away ballot boxes. The Cantt SHO registered an FIR against him and Gandapur was taken into custody on Monday after he reportedly “handed himself to the police”.

He was presented in court and sent on a one-day remand. Subsequently, on Wednesday, Gandapur was granted bail for the two separate cases registered against him.

In the first case, the PTI minister was charged with abusing and threatening a police official.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 5^th, 2015.