2013 Pakistan polls: 4 million ballots were without serial numbers
(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Sethi has been accused by PTI chief Imran Khan of being part of the rigging plans.
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Islamabad: Over 4.1 million ballot papers printed under army supervision for the May 2013 general elections bore no serial numbers Fazlur Rehman Manager Government Printing Press Islamabad told the 3-member Judicial Commission constituted to probe the charge that the elections were massively rigged.
The sensational revelation evoked comments by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf (PTI) chief organiser Shah Mahmood Qureshi and former election commission secretary Kunwar Dilshahd about the legality of the results where these ballots were used. Dilshad pointed out that the Press in Islamabad caters for Punjab. Qureshi said the disclosure strengthen’s PTI’s claim that the elections were massively rigged.
In a related development Najam Sethi who was caretaker chief minister Punjab contended before the commission that his powers as the chief executive of the province had started slipping away seven to 10 days before the May 1 elections. The bureaucracy was reporting to Raiwind (Residence of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif) and Model Town (Residence of chief minister Shahbaz Sharif). Sethi said he had presided over the last cabinet meeting on April 25 2013 — 15 days before the elections
He said he was appointed as chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board shortly after the elections by Nawaz Sharif as prime minister. The PPP had proposed his name as caretaker chief minister which was endorsed by the PML-N.
Sethi has been accused by PTI chief Imran Khan of being part of the rigging plans.
In another related development Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan has vehemently denied allegation of his party’s involvement in rigging in the local government elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) and said that his party is ready for re-elections.
Talking to reporters here on Tuesday Imran expressed surprise that the rigging charges have followed after his party won clear majority in the polls. He noted that even the Jamaat-e-Islami his coalition partner in the provincial government has also joined the chorus.
He said the PTI is prepared for re-election or repolling in controversial polling stations.
The Election Commission of Pakistan can take the decision in this respect.
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