Pakistan

PTI approaches SC against ECP’s ‘deliberate attempts’ to keep Imran out of electioneering

Party’s accuses commission of ‘mala-fide intentions’ in banning by-poll campaigning for parliamentarians

Web Desk/Hasnaat Mailk October 12, 2015

PHOTO: EXPRESS

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has called on the Supreme Court to take notice of what they termed the Election Commission of Pakistan’s attempts at keeping party chairman Imran Khan out of by-election campaigning.

PTI central region Punjab President Mansoor Sarwar Khan submitted through counsel Hamid Khan on Monday a statement in the apex court, claiming that the ECP had mala-fide intentions in restraining parliamentarians from running election campaign.

Read: NA-122 by-election: Imran warns ruling party against rigging

The party insisted that the notification for the ban on campaigning was aimed at Imran Khan since he is the only MNA who does not hold any official position and therefore could run an election campaign.

The statement, however, endorsed the Lahore High Court’s order and subsequent ECP notification on May 7, barring MNAs and MPAs from entering constituencies at the time of polling.

Read: ECP was involved in rigging 2013 general elections: Imran Khan

According to Sarwar Khan, preventing the PTI chief from campaigning in the constituencies was a violation of Article 15, 16, 17 and 19 of the Constitution and therefore, the notification is liable to be struck down.

Earlier on Monday, Imran said the party is investigating the number of PTI votes 'thrown out' of the NA-122 by-election.

The party chief, emphasising on the number of votes thrown out of NA-122 at the last minute, said the party would approach the Election Commission of Pakistan once the investigation is complete.

We are investigating the number of PTI votes thrown out of NA122 at the last minute & will then approach the ECP.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) October 12, 2015

In a series of tweets, Imran Khan also congratulated Shoaib Siddiqui for defeating PML-N's Mohsin Latif in PP-147 constituency and said that this was a moral victory for PTI.

Read: Thin margin victory: PML-N reclaims NA-122

"Congratulations go to Aleem Khan for an epic fight against Punjab and Fed govts; and to Shoaib Siddiqui for winning PP 147," he tweeted.

Congratulations go to Aleem Khan for an epic fight against Punjab & Fed govts; & to Shoaib Siddiqui for winning PP 147.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) October 12, 2015

This is a moral victory for PTI - successfully challenging PMLN with its govt power & provincial EC. This election will strengthen PTI. 1/2
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) October 12, 2015

Further, Imran assured that the party would learn from its mistakes to counter the rigging in elections.

2/2 We will learn from our mistakes & counter those rigging tactics by PMLN that we were not prepared for again.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) October 12, 2015

Read: Disgruntled members to take PTI to US courts

Earlier, Abdul Aleem Khan of PTI contesting in NA-122 said “This is our main concern. We wrote to the election commission this morning. Our committee will sit and review evidence from the 2013 general elections and today’s by-election.

COMMENTS (61)

Bigger Defense Analyst | 9 years ago | Reply @Defence Analyst: You are wrong. I am a bigger Defense Analyst so I am right. Just like you are wrong on 35 punctures (there were 70 right?). You are wrong on Sita White (Imran does have a daughter right?) You are wrong on Tareen (The Judge ruled he rigged internal election in PTI right?) PTI is WRONG!!

Imran sheikh | 9 years ago | Reply You lost an election for one seat. Deal with it. Running down institutions without hard proof is destructive. If some women supporting you could not vote because their names were not on the list, why did your agents do their job and check that the names of voters in previous lists, who were still eligible to vote here, were still on the new list? Don't find excuses for bad management. I voted for you but I expect to see planning and hard work put in to win, not whingeing afterwards when you lose a seat. Learn from the MQM. They see to it that all their supporters get to vote.

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Zeeshan | 9 years ago | Reply nonsense behaviour by imran

Ehtesham | 9 years ago | Reply This man will never grow. I feel pity for his supporters. His all moves are for the destruction of Pakistan and political stability. Media should limit his coverage like Altaf Hussain.

F,, Sahrdi | 9 years ago | Reply PLM_N and PPP are engineer in rigging. They are fully equipped with all available method.

Hassan | 9 years ago | Reply PTI was not contesting against Ayaz Sadiq on NA-122 but it was struggling against the chief minister and the prime minister himself as the PM was sitting in Lahore to monitor the whole situation further many federal ministers were campaigning for their party and the election commission tight lipped on this code of conduct issued by the EC. Interestingly the PML (N) win this seat by hook or krook but the difference of their win proves that there is a certain decline in PML-N vote bank.

goodDeedsLead | 9 years ago | Reply @imran khan: But I am the only one, nobody disputes on my financial integrity. But, i am the only one who got 80 percent free quality cancer hospital, despite it looked impossible. But, i am the only one, who world world championship for Pakistan. If all this means not growing up, then those who want to bring results should not grow up. Get a job! I

goodDeedsLeadTo | 9 years ago | Reply Buck up Imran Khan. Fight for the rights, fight for Insaaf and adal. Don't give up. Get these thugs who possess undisclosed offshore family ownership abroad, worth billions, and income taxes not paid on it.

ishrat salim | 9 years ago | Reply Most of us expect strong democracy through election, right, but when it comes to cast vote only 41% people go to vote, is this how you expect to bring change and make democracy strong ? Shame on each and every one of us to indulge in commenting.

Save Pakistan | 9 years ago | Reply Yaar koi ye batae, pti ne Pakistan ka skoon barbaadh Kiya hua hae. Taqreeban Sara media inke peeche hae. Kinki support per ye sub kur rahe hae.

ali nawaz | 9 years ago | Reply parties get voters list brfore election. imran khan had no problem with the list at that time but after he lost the list is not accurate. i would be so surprised that for once pti will accept defeat with open heart and not make lame excuses.

Sandip | 9 years ago | Reply @Zaid Noorsumar: haven't you gotten it yet? PTI will not rule. it will only be the mask. The actual rule will be done from some miles south of Islamabad- the real seat of power in Pakistan. Third umpire will become the sole umpire.

Makes no sense | 9 years ago | Reply for PML-N to be winning. they have 0 merit to be voted.

Muhammad Talha Mazhar | 9 years ago | Reply This is the moral duty of every one in Pakistan to raise the serious issues regarding the dishonesty and mala fide intentions of ECP.Because if ECP will impartial, unbiased and independent then democracy will strong.

Muhammad Talha Mazhar | 9 years ago | Reply This is the right of IK to raise the issues regarding the dishonesty and mala fide intentions of ECP.Because if the ECP becomes impartial, unbiased and independent then democracy will strong

H Chaudhry | 9 years ago | Reply Absolutely a Sore Loser!

Muhammad Khan | 9 years ago | Reply @zoha: I agree with you because he dreams at night and what he see in the dream, is spoken the next day. He dreamed to become Prime Minister in 2013 but he lost elections and then his dharna failed; so he has lost his mind.

The Failed Rebel | 9 years ago | Reply @Waqas: No, but every polling station results would still be available before and after rigging. Hence people belonging to a certain polling station might be shuffled throughout so as to create confusion during the last day.

The Failed Rebel | 9 years ago | Reply @Matriks: Revolutions may take time. They require patience. It doesn't matter if an individual lives to see the fruit of his struggle or not. Rest assured, there is a new PTI leadership being created in the background. Capable educated people. My people do not understand that Imran Khan isn't fighting for his party he is doing everything to ensure that there are no malpractices in the elections. Switching constituencies before elections, declaring votes as bogus, casting votes on false ID cards are all categorized as rigging. Not to mention the pre-poll rigging PM/Finance Minister did to engage farmers and traders. Just because the masses lack a vivid picture of the diversified techniques of rigging does not mean Imran Khan is wrong.

Pakistan | 9 years ago | Reply @Sohaib: Only born losers quit. NS is one such person who does not quit cheating.

Hassan | 9 years ago | Reply I never take this man serious. He has become mad.

Brar | 9 years ago | Reply He should have congratulated the PMLN candidate also, he is not his enemy but an opponent, you are not fighting a war but an election, here I see the losing candidate congratulating the winner and never ever any party speaks against the EC though the members are retired or serving beurocrates not judges as in Pakistan.

Sanam | 9 years ago | Reply In last 2 and half years, Nawaz & Co. has amassed so much wealth through kickbacks and commissions that it will be very difficult to take them out in any by-election. They have spent money like water, bot voters, changed voters list etc. Well done Aleem Khan, you got so close to these monsters and we now attach very high hopes that soon Imran Khan will make a major political headway. Allah bless PTI and Go Nawaz Go.

Masood | 9 years ago | Reply Sad day for Pakistan politics.

Shariq | 9 years ago | Reply So he's going to approach the ECP who he doesn't accept in the first place. The logic this guy comes up with is mindblowing.

zoha | 9 years ago | Reply This man is a complete nonsense.

Nawazish | 9 years ago | Reply Imran, please shut your mouth now. Do some work now and let others work too.

Balochi | 9 years ago | Reply IK is doing the dirtiest politics ever done by any politician in Pakistan.

ivehadit | 9 years ago | Reply crybaby!

Adil Khan | 9 years ago | Reply This man is always crying. He is only satisfied if he wins. Otherwise he continue crying.

Matriks | 9 years ago | Reply @The Failed Rebel: Yeah at the age of 66 years mr khan is still learning his lessons. Abhi tau puri umar agay pari hai.

Proud Pakistani | 9 years ago | Reply Who will investigate for the PML-n voters thrown out from the NA-122. I think either you are trying to be over clever or you are thinking the whole country is fool. Grow up, accept the defeat and stop crying, By the way where are your 50,000 voters gone you have been talking about for the last 2 1/2 year gone I don't think any one can dare to throw this number of people out of NA 122!!!

adeel | 9 years ago | Reply Why should Imran khan give up ? Don't you realized what is happening here.?? He is fighting for the "sanctity" of your vote..!! its not about PTI..its about the value of your opinion. He wants all of us to realize this subtle point by hammering the point into our deaf n dumb mindset. please..think over it.

Matriks | 9 years ago | Reply Ignore and leave this psychopath alone.

z | 9 years ago | Reply 'Khasiani Billi Khamba Nochay'. IK is a confused man. Please be careful if you are following him.

Waqas | 9 years ago | Reply Khan Sb. jane dein, kiyon apna image kharab kar rahe hain

Salim | 9 years ago | Reply Ro Imran Ro!

I am a Khan | 9 years ago | Reply You lose and then instead of accepting you shout rigging...shame on you!

Saleemi | 9 years ago | Reply This man lacks courage and sportsman spirit.

M ISHAQ | 9 years ago | Reply Respected Imran Khan Muslim league N have won the election please accept it,,...and never give up your struggle is respectable ,,,and we are proud of #PTI that have never been in doubtful condition of corruption or rigging ..,,..ever ,,,you have never let us down on principals,,,and this is important for us ,,...

shani | 9 years ago | Reply Long live IK,Long live PTI

Adnan Siddiqi | 9 years ago | Reply The same voters who were "Thrown Out" of NA-122, were never a problem in PP-147. RIP logic. At his terminal stage of mental disintegration, even a shrink of high repute wouldn't be able to do much. Contacting a mortuary for a peaceful departure into afterlife can be a measurable cure.

Zaida Parvez | 9 years ago | Reply Imran Khan should retire from politics. He is not fit for it.

Husnain ali | 9 years ago | Reply Imran khan: try to leave the element of self praise...

The Failed Rebel | 9 years ago | Reply @Defence Analyst: But alas, my people think there can never be foul play. Our struggle against the status-quo will continue. This is just the warm-up. ;)

imran khan | 9 years ago | Reply i am not going to grow up

nk | 9 years ago | Reply the most broken record in the history of broken records. I remember in 2013 you could sms your ID card and you could check your polling station? did these people not bother checking that? maybe they moved residences and left the old address on nadra card? Imran khan seems to have completely disconnected from reality. will he not rest till he gets 100% voter turnout, 100% of them voting for him, 100% ABLE to vote, and 100% thumb print verifiable? having lived around the world in developed countries, no election is ever 100% free of erros, but that doesn't mean its unfair. Sure its a lovely ideal to wish for better organized elections, but this is pakistan, a third world country, where fafen announced the elections were free and fair and an Judicial commission declared the same. an analyst on tv said it perfectly yesterday: "Every hour that IK spends on complaining about the election after tonight, is an hour that he is robbing from KPK who voted for him to do something in their province". as a frequent visitor to peshawar and from KPK, i hope the people have learnt their lesson and never vote for him again.

Saad | 9 years ago | Reply This man has lost control of his faculties.

Ahmad | 9 years ago | Reply Sir Imran Saheb: Not again!! Enough is enough... With all due respect, please accept people's verdict, and work in good harmony and honesty with others. Pakistan is facing tons of problems and challenges, and the last thing we need is politicians playing dirty politics. Let us work for the betterment of Pakistan,,,,

Aley | 9 years ago | Reply One more Black day for PTI's supporter, as same happened in NA246.

Tahir ali | 9 years ago | Reply IK has gone fully mad.

Zaid Noorsumar | 9 years ago | Reply For a wild card, Imran Khan sure is predictable. Even if we take him for his word, isn't it curious that PTI is never prepared for PML-N's alleged cunningness? How is such a woefully unprepared party, one that hasn't learnt how to contest elections 19 years after its formation, supposed to rule the country?

Defence Analyst | 9 years ago | Reply @ch: This time Imran is right and i met with many women who didn't cast their votes because there names were not in the voter list but they are the voters of this constituency from decades.

Faisal | 9 years ago | Reply Just shutup IK!! and do your work. KPK is in desperate need of Progress. Tired of these allegations, so please work and let work.

Sohaib | 9 years ago | Reply Damn, this guy doesn't know when to quit. Whatever happened to sportsman's spirit?

Defence Analyst | 9 years ago | Reply Many women voters didn't cast their votes due to the incompetency of election commission and margin of victory is only 2443 votes. Again this election become suspicious and it seems, election commission doesn't want stability in Pakistan.

Omer | 9 years ago | Reply No!! Not again Please stop your dirty politics

Waqas | 9 years ago | Reply Yes somehow Government knows which voters belong to PTI. magic

riz | 9 years ago | Reply IK has lost credibility.

The Failed Rebel | 9 years ago | Reply Imran Khan Zindabad ;)

ch | 9 years ago | Reply come on ! grow up ik !

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