Justice Mohammad Sadiq Leghari, heading Inquiry Commission of Election Commission of Pakistan, on Monday sought detailed reports from the additional home secretary Sindh and provincial police officer regarding incidents of May 12, the day by-elections were held in Karachi on three National Assembly and a Sindh Assembly seat.
The Commission commenced its proceedings this morning (Monday) at 9:20 am. Umer Jat, candidate of the Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarian (PPPP), on PS 121 was the only politician/candidate present.
The Commission asked the officials to submit a detailed report regarding law and order situation, loss to life, property etc on May 12.
Shahadat Awan advocate appeared for the PPPP and informed the Commission that he would be representing all the candidates who contested elections on ticket by the PPPP.
He alleged that nine persons died, 28 sustained serious injuries, while 50 persons were reportedly arrested by the police and other law enforcement agencies on the election day.
"This was a large-scale violence and it shows the manner in which polls were held, many people were kidnapped, polling agents were tortured, attacked," he submitted before the Commission alleging rigging.
He also requested the Commission to seek reports from the district returning officer, returning officers and others responsible for the conduct of by-elections.
He informed the Inquiry Commission that the common people were barred from appearing before the Commission as barricades have been erected in and around premises of the High Court of Sindh preventing free movement of general public, potential witnesses from public.
Justice Mohammad Sadiq Leghari remarked that security would have been beefed up to ensure security of the general public.
The head of the Inquiry Commission also asked Shahdat Awan to advise candidates belonging to the PPPP to file complaints along with affidavits in evidence.
The Commission then put off further proceedings till Tuesday at 11 am. The Election Commission of Pakistan has already stopped announcement of results of by-elections held on constituencies NA 240,243 and 246 and PS 121.
It is worth mentioning that the MMA has already rejected the inquiry proceedings and the PPPP also announced to stay away from the proceedings saying that the Election Commission is itself a party.