Apropos 'Ballot paper printing: ECP rejects allegations', carried by Business Recorder yesterday, it is interesting to note that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is going to respond to the allegations levelled by Imran Khan, Chairman, PTI, regarding the alleged printing of hundreds of thousands of extra ballot papers during general elections 2013 by Provincial Election Commissioner Punjab through private printing presses located in Urdu Bazaar, Lahore.
Arguing that ECP's response is based on facts and figures on record, which can be produced when so required by any competent forum that may be appointed for the purpose of investigation into these allegations, the ECP officials have pointed out that printing of ballot papers is highly sensitive, huge and complex process having many dimensions and therefore the ECP takes maximum possible security measures to ensure that every single ballot paper is printed and delivered to the Returning Officers in a secure manner through a detailed action plan. Though the onus of proving rigging lies with the party who asserts it, it is imperative for the ECP to come clean about Imran Khan's vote rigging allegations without any further loss of time. Nothing can be more sacrosanct than a ballot paper in relation to credibility and sanctity of any election.