Two major political parties; Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) have leveled allegations of pre-poll rigging ahead of July 25 general elections, predicting highly manipulated results. Talking to Business Recorder leaders of PML-N and PPP accused "hidden forces" of manipulating elections in all the four provinces to pave the way for their favoured candidates - those standing on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf ticket or contesting elections as independent candidates.
Senator Mushahidullah Khan, central secretary information, said that efforts are underway to intimidate PML-N candidates and workers to change their loyalties. "Names of all those who are behind these efforts are already in the public domain," he said, adding that the hidden elements are trying their level best to damage PML-N's popular vote, especially in Punjab. Mushahidullah said that the PML-N is getting overwhelming response from the public and the historic welcome accorded to the former premier Nawaz Sharif in Lahore will help inject new energy in the party candidates and workers. "We are not leaving the field open for our rivals despite all efforts by certain forces. The struggle launched by Nawaz Sharif for dignity of the vote has entered a new phase and it will result in the success of democratic forces," he said. He said that the PML-N candidates are being denied level playing field in the elections which is against the spirit of the constitution and democratic practice. "Such tactics are making the elections highly controversial and the election commission must take appropriate steps to address these concerns," he added.
Talking to reporters in London, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif accused a serving ISI officer, Major General Faiz Hameed, and his team of forcing PML-N candidates to switch their loyalties.
Director General Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Asif Ghafoor 'rubbished' the allegation in one of his recent press conferences, saying there is no truth in allegations against the ISI officer who has a history of making sacrifices in the war against terrorism. Pakistan Peoples Party secretary general Farhatullah Babar also named serving army officers accusing them of involvement in pre-poll rigging and urged the chief of army staff to take notice. Babar said that the PPP received complaints about Colonel Abid Shah and Major Shahzad in Sindh and Colonel Mughees in Dera Ismail Khan for pressuring their candidates to switch their loyalties. "Pre-poll rigging has already started and the poll-day may well be a mere formality to cast the vote", Babar told Business Recorder. "One manifestation of pre-poll rigging is the unannounced and undeclared censorship of media and banning of a newspaper of a media outlet in some areas of the country under the control of the garrison", he maintained. He said that it was surprising that ECP has not yet taken any action on the PPP's complaints even after the party made specific charges against specific officers.
Senior PPP leader Taj Haider confirmed Babar's accusations while dismissing DG ISPR claims. "These tactics are being used against democracy which is further weakening it", he added. Fawad Chaudhry, secretary information PTI, told Business Recorder that his party has written numerous letters to caretaker prime minister and Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) pointing out pre-poll rigging in the shape of postings in key positions in the bureaucracy made by former PML-N government, especially in Punjab. He, however, admitted that a major reshuffle in the bureaucracy in Punjab and other provinces is not possible and hoped that the ECP would ensure free and fair elections.
Political analysts, however, said that allegations of pre-poll and post poll rigging in the elections are part of electioneering in Pakistani politics. They said that runner up parties in the polls always make a hue and cry in the name of rigging, but seldom provide solid evidence to prove their allegations. However, they said that in some cases the allegations of rigging cannot be ruled out, but the ECP and election tribunals decide such cases on the basis of solid proofs.
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