QUETTA: Leaders of the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) have alleged rigging in by-election in the Balochistan Assembly constituency PB-7 (Ziarat).

The by-poll held on Sunday was won by Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam’s (JUI-F) candidate Khalilur Rehman Dummar.

Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, Sardar Habibur Rehman, the losing candidate of the PkMAP, alleged that members of staff at two polling stations were allowing people to use forged computerised national identity cards for casting votes in favour of his opponents.

He was accompanied by PkMAP’s provincial legislator Majeed Khan Achakzai.

The PkMAP leaders said they had already informed the returning officer, the district election officer and other officials concerned about the two sensitive polling stations where there were chances of rigging and violence. But, they added, nothing was done to stop rigging and violence at those polling stations.

Mr Achakzai, who is chairman of the Accounts Committee of the Balochistan Assembly, accused the Levies force, Frontier Corps and police of resorting to baton charge and firing at polling stations where the PkMAP candidate had good position.

He called upon the Chief Election Commissioner to take notice of what he called massive rigging in the Ziarat by-election.

He demanded that the official result of the by-poll should be stopped until verification of votes by officials of Nadra (National Database & Registration Authority).

Meanwhile, a local leader of JUI-F has rejected allegations levelled by the PkMAP leaders.

Talking to this correspondent by phone, he said that “the PkMAP leaders are satisfied with election results only when their party candidates win elections”.

He accused PkMAP members of using state machinery during the campaign and polling for the Ziarat by-poll.

Published in Dawn, March 29th, 2017

Opinion

Editorial

Islamabad march
Updated 27 Nov, 2024

Islamabad march

WITH emotions running high, chaos closes in. As these words were being written, rumours and speculation were all...
Policing the internet
27 Nov, 2024

Policing the internet

IT is chilling to witness how Pakistan — a nation that embraced the freedoms of modern democracy, and the tech ...
Correcting sports priorities
27 Nov, 2024

Correcting sports priorities

IT has been a lingering battle that has cast a shadow over sports in Pakistan: who are the national sports...
Kurram ceasefire
Updated 26 Nov, 2024

Kurram ceasefire

DESPITE efforts by the KP government to bring about a ceasefire in Kurram tribal district, the bloodletting has...
Hollow victory
26 Nov, 2024

Hollow victory

THE conclusion of COP29 in Baku has left developing nations — struggling with the mounting costs of climate...
Infrastructure schemes
26 Nov, 2024

Infrastructure schemes

THE government’s decision to finance priority PSDP schemes on a three-year rolling basis is a significant step...