ToRs, lack of cogent evidence help government survive PTI challenge

The General Election 2013 Inquiry Commission (GEIC) has turned down Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) allegations of an organised rigging during 2013 elections, declaring the elections were fair and in accordance with law. It, however, also concluded that "[T]he commission is of the view that the PTI was not entirely unjustified in requesting the establishment of a body to inquire into its suspicions and allegations regarding the 2013 general elections".
-- Elections in accordance with law: GEIC
Ministry of Law, Justice and Human Rights Thursday released the final report of the GEIC about rigging allegations on 2013 general elections that was submitted to it by a three-member inquiry commission. The GEIC led by Chief Justice Nasirul Mulk and consisting Justice Amir Hani Muslim and Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan completed its inquiry in 86 days on July 03. Since April 9, 2015, the Commission conducted 39 hearings whereas a total of 69 witnesses recorded their testimonies before the GEIC.
In its 237-page report, the GEIC said that despite some lapses on part of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), the 2013 general elections were in large part organised and conducted fairly and in accordance with law. "When the entire context of the elections are considered along with the meaning of overall basis, despite some lapses by the ECP it cannot be said on the evidence before the Commission that on an overall basis the elections were not a true and fair reflection of the mandate given by the electorate," the GEIC added.
The GEIC 2013 ruled, "The Commission is of the view that the PTI was not entirely unjustified in requesting the establishment of a body to inquire into its suspicions and allegations regarding the 2013 general elections." The GEIC further said that allegations against those allegedly involved in the plan/design to influence the outcome of the elections also remained unsubstantiated by the evidence on record before the Commission.
"The plan or design to manipulate or influence the election has not been disclosed with any degree of specification by any of the parties to the proceedings nor is it discernible from the material placed before the Commission. Allegations against those allegedly involved in the plan/design also remained unsubstantiated by the evidence on record," the report concluded.