Opposition boycotts Nankana’s local body elections

0
179
  • Ballot papers found from PML-N camp

LAHORE: After more than six months of delay in local body council elections due to an incomplete council, LHC had given orders for polling on June 15. However, the polling was disrupted when a union council chairman from the ruling party’s camp was caught with ballot papers.

Polling day progressed smoothly without disruptions until the last voter was caught with three ballot papers with a stamp on PML-N’s election symbol. Police arrested this chairman named Rai Junaid and a FIR was lodged against him.

Supporters of independent candidate Tahir Manzoor Gill protested against the rigging by the ruling party.

Independent candidate Tahir Manzoor Gill on the advice of his supporters boycotted the election as they alleged that only the last union council chairman was caught in rigging and they did not know what had been happening earlier.

Gill said that the counting of votes was done without the consent and presence of the opposition. It is against the rules and spirit of democracy.

Independent candidate Tahir Manzoor Gill said that the ballot papers were already present in the PML N’s camp. He alleged that the presiding officers, deputy commissioner or other staff could be stakeholders in this pre-planned rigging.

A stay order is likely to be the way forward and the people of Nankana still await a district council to solve their problems.