GUJRAT: As the PML-Q and PML-N nominees looked set to win PP-32 (Gujrat) and PP-36 (Wazirabad) by-poll on Sunday night, opposition parties, mainly Sunni Ittehad Council and Pakistan Tehreek Insaaf alliance, alleged `massive rigging’.

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali and NA Opposition Leader Umar Ayub Khan along with other party leaders reached the Jail Chowk street leading to the heavily-guarded Deputy Commissioner Complex.

As per the unofficial results from all 168 polling stations of PP-32, Chaudhary Musa Elahi of PML-Q has bagged 70,800 votes against SIC-PTI aspirant Parvez Elahi who secured 37,000 votes.

Similarly, Adnan Afzal Chatha of the PML-N was leading with clear margin the race against Fayyaz Chatha of SIC-PTI for PP-36.

Opposition alleges ‘massive rigging’in PP-32, PP-36

Opposition parties, including Jamaat-i-Islami and Tehreek Labbaik Pakistan candidates as well, criticised the Election Commission of Pakistan ECP, returning officer, local police and administration for their failure to hold transparent election.

The Kathala polling station remained the focus of all contesting parties after reports of rigging and entry denial to voters, particularly women.

PTI’s Qaisara Elahi, the wife of Parvez Elahi, along with her son Rasikh Elahi reached the Kathala Chenab polling station where she encountered her brother Wajahat Hussain of PML-Q.

The supporters of rival parties also clashed at the polling station after reports of rigging inside.

Speaking to media, Qaisara Elahi said that she could never expect such a shameful act of rigging by her own brother. PTI leader Sumaira Elahi Chohan, the youngest sister of Q chief, also reached a polling station after reports of rigging.

On being inquired by her, the presiding officer (in a video clip) said a group of men had forcibly snatched hundreds of ballot papers and put them into ballot boxes after stamping them. He said police had been informed to arrest the culprits.

The Punjab JI chief Dr Tariq Saleem and Gujrat district emir Ansar Mehmood Dhool said police and local authorities had completely facilitated the PML-Q aspirant throughout the campaign and polling.

They claimed that the police had also picked up polling agents of JI candidate Hafiz Muhammad Iqbal from Dhrowal and some other areas after they resisted tactics of stealing mandate.

Published in Dawn, April 22nd, 2024

Opinion

Editorial

Out of control
Updated 19 Feb, 2025

Out of control

AS bodies continue to fall in Kurram despite a state-sanctioned ceasefire, one wonders how long local militants’...
Hollow words
19 Feb, 2025

Hollow words

IT is not uncommon for politicians to resort to the use of hyperbole in order to boost their public standing. ...
Migration matters
19 Feb, 2025

Migration matters

THE grass, it seems, did appear greener on the other side to millions of people as evidenced by the latest UN ...
Cholistan project
Updated 18 Feb, 2025

Cholistan project

GPI goals align with Pakistan's broader economic aims but the manner in which the initiative was launched raises questions.
Right to know
18 Feb, 2025

Right to know

IT is an unfortunate paradox that while on paper Pakistan has some of the most impressive right to information laws,...
Dam dispute
18 Feb, 2025

Dam dispute

THE situation in Chilas needs attention and a fair-minded approach so that it can be resolved amicably. Diamer ...