PESHAWAR: Several political parties demonstrated outside the provincial election commission’s offices on Khyber Road here on Thursday against the alleged rigging in the July 25 elections, causing severe traffic jam on major roads of the city for hours.

Holding flags of their respective parties and shouting slogans, the protesters warned that they would never accept the results of ‘engineered’ elections.

They’re led by Awami National Party general secretary Mian Iftikhar Hussain, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz provincial information secretary Ikhtiar Wali, MPA-elect Sobia Khan, Qaumi Watan Party provincial chairman Sikandar Hayat Khan Sherpao and Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal provincial president Maulana Gul Naseeb Khan, Peshawar president Sabir Hussain Awan and general secretary Haji Ghulam Ali.

Speakers say ECP, law-enforcement agencies, caretakers equally responsible

Mr Mian Iftikhar alleged that the July 25 elections were completely rigged and that the Election Commission of Pakistan, caretaker governments and law-enforcement agencies were equally responsible for it.

“It is the unanimous opinion of the opposition parties that the July 25 election was selection and not election as only one party was given the opportunity to campaign but others were not provided a level-playing field,” he said.

The ANP leader also alleged that the media was playing a ‘one-sided’ role as the owners of media houses had nothing to do with the people and instead, they’re serving own interests. “It’s the political parties, which always take a firm stand in support of the media’s freedom whenever its people face any problem anywhere in the country but ironically, it is now supporting only one political party,” he said.

Mr Mian Iftikhar also criticised the provincial caretaker government for hampering the peaceful protest of political parties by deploying police and security personnel in large numbers and said the move proved that the government had baffled.

He urged the chief election commissioner and his team to step down immediately and said new ECP head and members should be elected in consultation with all stakeholders.

The ANP leader said the personnel of law-enforcement agencies drew salary from the taxes paid by the people and therefore, they shouldn’t become party to the election-related matters.

Jamaat-i-Islami leader Sabir Hussain Awan said the elections were rigged at gunpoint and the opposition parties could not forget that.

He said the district administration of Peshawar had frightened voters by issuing irresponsible statements regarding security and therefore, the voter turnout was very low on July 25.

Haji Ghulam Ali said the ECP had failed to hold elections in free, fair and impartial manner and therefore, its head and members had no right to continue in their respective offices.

He asked the chief election commissioner and his federal and provincial team members to immediately step down and warned that if the demand wasn’t met, the opposition would continue with protests.

The MMA leader said the July 25 election was not election and instead, it was a ‘drama’ staged to steal the people’s mandate.

“We reject that drama in the name of elections,” he said.

MMA leader Maulana Gul Naseeb alleged that the ECP had failed to hold elections transparently and said all political parties rejected their results as it was an ‘ambush’ on the people’s mandate.

“This mockery cannot continue anymore. We, the opposition, will take future steps against the Election Commission of Pakistan on the instructions of our core committee,” he said.

QWP leader Sikandar Sherpao declared July 25 a black day in the country’s history, saying that the people’s mandate was stolen on the day. He said the elections had become controversial and therefore, political parties wanted re-election in the country.

Mr Sikandar also called for all ECP members to step down to pave the way for fresh elections under an independent and impartial ECP.

As the protest caused traffic mess on major roads in the city and cantonment areas, the commuters, including women and children, were seen cover distances by foot.

Published in Dawn, August 10th, 2018