Testifying before General Election Inquiry Commission (GEIC) on Wednesday, returning officers (ROs) rejected Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q)’s stance that their candidates were not consulted during the consolidation of last general elections’ results. On the contrary, they said, proper communication had been ensured with all the contesting candidates during formulation of election results.
The seven ROs who recorded their testimonies included Pattoki Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADSJ) Ejaz Hussain Awan, Chinniot ADSJ Arshad Hussain, Kasur Senior Civil Judge Rafaqat Ali Qamar, Sheikhupura ADSJ Aamir Habib, Gujrat ADSJ Muhammad Qasim Khan, Faisalabad ADSJ Imtiaz Hussain and Khanewal ADSJ Qamar Ejaz.
The GEIC, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Nasirul Mulk and comprising Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan and Justice Amir Hani Muslim, after completion of testimonies from seven ROs, declared that if deemed appropriate, the commission would also decide whether it needed to summon some witnesses at its own or not.
Jamaat-i-Islami Pakistan also presented its five witnesses who recorded their testimonies and were cross-questioned by the political parties’ counsels, while Muhajir Qaumi Movement presented two witnesses in support of its stance on rigging in Sindh.
Meanwhile, the CJP directed the counsel of Balochistan National Party to present its list of witnesses before the commission and adjourned further hearing till Monday, June 15.