ISLAMABAD - The Inquiry Commission was informed on Thursday about those constituencies of key leaders of Pakitan Tehreek-e-Insaf wherein a large number of extra ballot papers were printed than the registered voters.
Shahid Hamid, counsel for Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, while cross-examining former Provincial Election Commission Punjab (PECP) pointed out excess printing of ballot papers in various constituencies of Punjab.
The cross-examination of Mahboob Anwar has been concluded. The Commission, therefore, summoned Managing Directors Printing Corporation Pakistan, Islamabad and Lahore and Director Pakistan Post Foundation today for cross-examination.
A three-judge commission, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Nasir-ul-Mulk, was probing the alleged rigging in the 2013 general elections. Former PECP Mahboob Anwar has admitted the facts, pointed out by Shahid Hamid regarding the printing of extra ballots in different constituencies of Punjab. The counsel has identified these constituencies through the documents, presented by Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in the inquiry commission.
During the cross-examination, the former PEC Punjab told that in NA-53 total numbers of voters were over 382,015 but more than 454,000 ballot papers were printed. PTI’s candidate Ghulam Sarwar was returned candidate in this constituency.
On the other hand, Abdul Hafiz Pirzada, counsel for PTI, inquired from the ex-PECP whether he is aware that the opponent of Ghulam Sarwar in that constituency was incumbent Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan. However, he replied that he is unaware.
The counsel for PML-N pointed out the NA-150 Multan, from where PTI vice chairman Shah Mahmood Quraishi won the election. Shahid Hamid said total registered voters in the constituency were 3,73,000 but 4,00,000 ballot papers were printed there.
The counsel also revealed that in NA-48 Islamabad, PTI leader Asad Umar was declared returned candidate in the bye-election. Total number of registered voters in that constituency were 2,94,000 but 3,20,000 ballot papers were printed.
Shahid also told about NA-72 Mianwali, wherein total registered voters were 3,71,374 but 4,02,100 ballot papers were printed there and PTI’s candidate Amjad Ali Khan won the general election.
He also stated that in NA-34, Jamat-i-Islami candidate Sahabzada Yaqoob was declared returned candidate, adding that total number of voters of this constituency was 5,04,000 but 5,88,000 ballot papers were printed.
Earlier, the counsel has also pointed out that in NA-122 Lahore, total registered voters were 3,26,028 but 326200 ballot papers were printed.
“Are you aware that the winning candidate of this constituency (NA-122) is incumbent Speaker National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq,” the PML-N’s counsel asked.
Meanwhile, the former PEC Punjab confirmed that the deliveries of ballot papers were delayed in some constituencies due to the restraining orders of the Lahore High Court. He also stated that the requisition of ballot papers by District Returning Officers and (DROs) Returning Officers (ROs) came after April 19.
He admitted that the Election Commission had also asked the printing presses to print ballot papers prior to the requisition of ROs, therefore, final requisition of printing ballot papers were different from the estimate that was done before.
He also stated that everything about printing and delivery of ballot papers was done according to the plan but some mistakes were committed in this huge process. During the cross-examination, the chief justice stopped PML-N’s counsel for asking questions on assumption. “Don’t make the point, ask the question,” the CJ asked him.