PTI rejects PPP’s claim about rigging in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreeke- Insaf (PTI) has rejected Pakistan People’s Party’s (PPP) claim that the May 2013 elections were rigged in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P).

In its reply submitted before the inquiry commission probing alleged rigging in the last general elections, the PPP had claimed that the polls were rigged and the results were a shocking surprise, especially in Punjab and the K-P where returning officers (ROs) and presiding officers were used to subvert the result.

“The PPP will examine the witness at the appropriate time, if so minded. The material and record it relies on is contained in the electoral bags of the constituencies in the Punjab and the K-P. In addition, it will submit an analysis by experts drawn from statistics given in a DVD obtained from the ECP (Election Commission of Pakistan),” it had stated.

The PPP had also alleged that the elections were rigged in the K-P in both national as well as provincial assemblies’ constituencies.

Generalised allegation

Submitting a rejoinder to the PPP’s reply before the inquiry commission, the PTI’s counsel Abdul Hafeez Pirzada said that other than an inchoate, generalised and unsubstantiated [allegation] against the PTI, the PPP’s reply does not mention or provide any evidence or material to substantiate any such insinuation or interference in the conduct or organisation of general election 2013 by or on behalf of the PTI.

“The PTI has offered that if the PPP has any direct or admissible proof of any direct or indirect role or involvement of the PTI in the manipulation of last general elections then it should bring on record before the commission for the consideration at the earliest possible opportunity and if it (PPP) does not bring such evidence then in all propriety formally withdraw the insinuations and allegations against the PTI,” the reply said.

It also submitted that neither the PTI was in the K-P government prior to the general election and nor it had any direct involvement in the selection and appointment of caretaker government. “Therefore, it did not have the means or opportunity to unduly influence or manipulate the last general elections in the province of the K-P,” it said.

The reply also claimed that the percentage of extra ballot papers in constituencies’ situation in the K-P was the lowest as compared to the constituencies situated in other three provinces.

Duty of poll body

The PTI agreed with the PPP that it is the duty of the ECP to answer the questions related to the elections rigging.

“If the PPP examines ay witness or brings any documents or material on record then the PTI reserves the right to produce evidence and witness in rebuttal,” the reply further stated.

Meanwhile, the top court has fixed the writ petition against the return of the PTI lawmakers to parliament after an absence of many months. Zafar Ali Shah, who recently retired from the upper house of the parliament, contended in his petition that these MNAs were aliens to the National Assembly and have no right to attend the parliament’s session.

The Islamabad High Court has already rejected his plea, declaring it not maintainable. Later on, the PML-N leader filed an appeal in the apex court against the high court’s order.

The PPP had claimed that the polls were rigged and the results were a shocking surprise, especially in Punjab and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where returning officers and presiding officers were used to subvert the result

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