ECP probes ‘horse-trading’

islamabad — The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has announced a probe into the alleged horse-trading in the crucial Senate elections after several political parties, including the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N), demanded an investigation into the matter.

The PML-N emerged as the biggest party in the Upper House of the elections held on March 3 but the outcome has been marred by charges of vote buying.

In a statement, the ECP said it issued notices to heads of political parties and lawmakers on the basis of their statements in media about corruption in elections. It said that they “have been summoned on March 14 to initiate an investigation” into their claims about massive use of money. Action will be taken against those found guilty, it added. Provincial and federal lawmakers voted to elect 52 Senators on March 3.

PML-N Quaid (chief) Nawaz Sharif blamed those political parties that secured more seats than their representation in the provincial assemblies for “rigging the Senate elections” and demanded an investigation to ascertain if the change of loyalty was based on change of mind, financial gain or some other factors, Dawn reported. The former prime minister said the game of trading of votes must come to an end.

The same demand was made by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chairman Imran Khan on the second day of his two-day visit to Karachi for a party membership drive. Khan said that according to his information votes were purchased for up to Rs40 million in the Senate elections.

“Our own people also sold themselves,” he admitted but did not mention names of those allegedly involved in the practice in KhyberPakhtunkhwa and Punjab — PTI