The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has so far received 152 applications pertaining to allegations of rigging in various constituencies and has ordered recounting in nine constituencies upon concerns shown by the candidates in their applications.
In view of the reports of rigging and allegations of bogus voting, the ECP is also mulling random verification of thumb impressions of the voters, the sources said. The decision on re-polling in NA-250 will be taken today (Friday).
Meanwhile, talking to reporters, ECP Secretary Ishtiak Ahmad rejected FAFEN’s report that stated that voter turnout at 49 polling stations was over 100 percent. He said 49 polling stations made 0.6 percent of the total polling stations established by the ECP on polling day. He said FAFEN reported 116 percent turnout in NA-6 but, “actually, the turnout in the constituency remained at 46 percent”.
However, he said the ECP would take action if any irregularity was found, adding that each presiding officer would be held responsible for each and every ballot paper. “The ECP has set up election tribunals which will decide the petitions within 120 days,” Ahmad said.
Meanwhile, the ECP completely withdrew ban on diversion of funds. On January 22, it had banned diversion of funds already allocated to various development projects in the country and the spending of funds so diverted stood frozen. The ECP had also banned all kind of recruitments in the ministries and government departments except recruitments by the public service commissions.
The decision was taken in view of the fact that mass recruitments and diversion of funds for the sake of development work in a particular constituency on the eve of general elections would substantially influence the results of the elections. “Now, the ECP has withdrawn ban of diversion of funds but ban on recruitment is still intact.”