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Pakistan’s election commission forms high-level committee to probe senior bureaucrat’s allegations of poll rigging
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NEW DELHI: The Election commission of Pakistan is investigating allegations made by former Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chattha, who claimed widespread rigging in favor of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party. Losing candidates were allegedly forcefully declared winners, prompting nationwide protests by Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party against perceived electoral malpractice in the February 8 elections.
In a shocking development, Chattha admitted to manipulating poll results and implicated the chief election commissioner and chief justice.Following his admission, Chattha resigned from his position.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) held an emergency meeting, establishing a high-level committee to investigate the allegations. Depending on the committee’s findings, the ECP will decide whether to pursue contempt charges against Chattha. The committee aims to submit its report within three days.
The newly-appointed Rawalpindi Commissioner, Saif Anwar Jappa, denied all accusations of irregularities in the February 8 elections, clarifying that the commissioner’s role was solely for coordination. The District Returning Officer (DRO) for Rawalpindi emphasized the fairness and accuracy of the recent elections.
Simultaneously, Pakistan witnessed a nationwide disruption in the social media platform X’s service, attributed to escalating unrest and protests over allegations of election fraud.
Independent candidates, largely supported by the PTI party, secured 93 out of 265 National Assembly seats contested on February 8. The PTI’s main rivals, Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), formed a post-poll alliance after winning 75 and 54 seats, respectively. The MQM-P also pledged support with its 17 seats. As political dynamics remain uncertain, the formation of a coalition government seems likely.
Responding to the allegations, PML-N leader Marriyum Aurangzeb criticized Chattha, suggesting that he should have approached the Election Commission of Pakistan with evidence instead of making allegations during a press conference. She questioned the timing of Chattha’s conscience awakening.
In a shocking development, Chattha admitted to manipulating poll results and implicated the chief election commissioner and chief justice.Following his admission, Chattha resigned from his position.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) held an emergency meeting, establishing a high-level committee to investigate the allegations. Depending on the committee’s findings, the ECP will decide whether to pursue contempt charges against Chattha. The committee aims to submit its report within three days.
The newly-appointed Rawalpindi Commissioner, Saif Anwar Jappa, denied all accusations of irregularities in the February 8 elections, clarifying that the commissioner’s role was solely for coordination. The District Returning Officer (DRO) for Rawalpindi emphasized the fairness and accuracy of the recent elections.
Simultaneously, Pakistan witnessed a nationwide disruption in the social media platform X’s service, attributed to escalating unrest and protests over allegations of election fraud.
Independent candidates, largely supported by the PTI party, secured 93 out of 265 National Assembly seats contested on February 8. The PTI’s main rivals, Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), formed a post-poll alliance after winning 75 and 54 seats, respectively. The MQM-P also pledged support with its 17 seats. As political dynamics remain uncertain, the formation of a coalition government seems likely.
Responding to the allegations, PML-N leader Marriyum Aurangzeb criticized Chattha, suggesting that he should have approached the Election Commission of Pakistan with evidence instead of making allegations during a press conference. She questioned the timing of Chattha’s conscience awakening.
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