- Former Punjab CEC says did not dispatch electoral material to respective constituencies three days before election
- JC directs PML-N to present list of witnesses till Monday, PTI’s counsel to continue interrogation on Friday
Recording his statement before the Judicial Commission, former Punjab chief election commission (CEC) Anwar Mehboob Thursday admitted sending additional ballot papers to polling stations during General Election 2013.
On Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawyer Abdul Hafeez Pirzada’s queries, Mehboob said ballot papers are published on the basis of Form-5. He said that polling material arrives at polling stations around three days prior to the election, however during 2013 General Election, polling material was not even complete by May 5. He admitted that additional ballot papers were sent to some polling stations upon returning officers’ (ROs) request.
When asked if anyone questioned him over the delay in providing electoral material, Mehboob replied in negative. He said that the officials were informed about publishing additional ballot papers but no formal approval was taken.
“ROs decide on the number of ballot papers to be printed. Extra ballot papers than actual number of voters in every constituency were printed. It is not in my knowledge as to extra ballot papers were printed in how many constituencies,” Mehboob said, adding that he “could not remember” who had given application about 15,000 extra ballot papers. “The record of applications from ROs is available.”
When Pirzada inquired if printing started on April 19, 2013, Mehboob said the process started on May 5. “My office was operating in the office of provincial election commission. I met Justice (r) Riaz Kiani on March 26. It was a casual meeting and no other matter than electoral matters came under discussion.”
Moreover, Pirzada also asked about the letter sent from Printing Corporation of Pakistan. Mehboob said he does not remember exactly about it. He also refused to recognise his signatures on EC’s reply.
When asked as to how the ballot papers were sent, Mehboob said ballot papers were sent per procedure; from corporation to ROs directly.
To a question about 200 people related to Printing Corporation, Mehboob denied having any information on the matter. “However, the entire job was done per rules and regulations.”
The PTI lawyer raised several questions regarding various issues, including purchase of additional papers, but Mehboob denied having any information or diverged from the questions.
“Give reply to what is being asked,” Mehboob consequently invoked Justice Hani’s ire.
Following the interrogation, the three-member JC, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Nasirul Mulk and comprising Justice Amir Hani Muslim and Justice Ejaz Afzal, directed Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to present the list of witnesses by Monday and adjourned the proceedings till Friday, 8am. The JC also directed Pirzada to complete his cross examination on Friday.
ECP rejects systemic rigging and yet all evidence is showing a pattern of mistakes leading to collusion and conspiracy by the Presiding Officers and Returning Officers.As the investigation progresses more and more dirty work of the managers and administrators is going to emerge and let the law take its course to deal with the cheaters once for all
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