Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) received 110 written complaints of polls rigging during general elections held on May 11 from contesting candidates of different political parties and the Commission will conduct a recount or re-do the vote on 8 to 9 National Assembly seats following the allegations of rigging, Secretary ECP Ishtiaq Ahmed said in a press conference on Thursday.
The Secretary explained that the Commission had developed a system in co-ordination with various institutions of the State for discouraging poll rigging. He said the Commission had evolved a mechanism to check rigging after the election, which could be possible through fake ballot papers; fake voters and bogus votes.
He admitted that the Commission was facing problems in NA 250 and the Commission has convened a meeting with representatives of PTI, MQM, Chief Secretary Sindh and Inspector General of Police, Sindh to review the situation. He further said that the Commission was considering the request of PTI's Imran Khan for verification of voters in four of the constituencies.
The Secretary said the second round where 'inquiry summaries' were sent has been started. Under Section 103-AA of Representation of the People's Act, 1976, the ECP could declare polls void in constituencies where 'grave irregularities' take place, causing delays in timely disposal of writ petitions of aggrieved parties, blocking punitive action against elected members for exceeding expenses' limits, corrupt practices, etc.
He said election tribunals have been set up in all the provinces who shall take decision in 120 days under amended laws. "Unlike previous elections when decisions were not taken in years, present election tribunals are time bound to reach any decision," the secretary added. He said that heads of foreign countries hailed the government on holding free and fair elections. Even, EU Election Observers and UK High Commissioner congratulated Pakistani nation for holding free elections. He regretted that ECP was targeted by political parties and blamed for rigging elections.
He suggested that the nation must see ahead as new party should take over within 21 days after the elections. The date will expire on June 1, he said. Commenting on a report released by an NGO, Fafen, on rigging in elections, he said the organisation itself admitted that 99.4 percent polling was held free and fair. Rest of 0.6 percent (49 polling stations), Secretary said the commission challenged their findings.
He said the IT department of ECP had taken the report of Fafen and presiding officers report, the Fafen's figures were incorrect. "We will hold inquiry. In case presiding officers find guilty, they would be made accountable and if Fafen's staff made mistakes, Fafen shall take action against those," he said. He further said the Fafen had quoted wrong figures in the past and they were asked to take view point of ECP before publishing any report.
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