KARACHI, Oct 16: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement on Wednesday presented what it called “undeniable” proofs of rigging in the Oct 10 elections and demanded that serious notice of such manipulations be taken by the government.

During a news conference at the Karachi Press Club on Wednesday, deputy convener of the MQM coordination committee, Aftab Shaikh, told a questioner that his party would take full advantage of the mandate and continue its protest in the parliament against rigging.

Mr Shaikh, who was flanked by Nasreen Jaleel, Shaikh Liaqut Hussain, Dr Farooq Sattar, Shoaib Bokhari and candidates from various constituencies, also exhibited ballot papers with stamps on the MQM’s symbol and other relevant documents.

The MQM central leaders chided the regime’s claim of holding free, fair and transparent elections and said the way the mandate of the MQM candidates was subverted through massive and unprecedented rigging had made the government’s claim a joke.

He focused on the so-called “no-go” areas where the Muttahida’s men were not allowed to campaign.

He alleged that when the coordination committee contacted Gen Ehtesham and principal secretary of the President, it was informed that the provincial administration had been directed to provide necessary facility for enabling polling agents and candidates to visit areas and set up camps.

But despite the government’s assurance of security, when Muttahida activists and elders tried to set up camps and send polling agents, especially women polling agents, in Landhi, Korangi, Malir, Shah Faisal Colony and Lines Area, they were prevented by armed activists of the rival Haqiqis who enjoyed patronage of the government agencies, he added.

He claimed that the police and the administration in many cities of Sindh had supported the candidates backed by the government and had been acting against Muttahida candidates to the advantage of the proxies of the government.

He said that a private TV channel showed MQM elders being subjected to strong-arm tactics in Landhi. In Shah Faisal Colony, he alleged, the Muttahida’s attempt to set up a camp near Chaudhri Park was thwarted by armed men of the rival group and an activist of the Muttahida was injured.

Mr Shaikh alleged that instead of registering cases against armed activists of the rival group, police arrested Haq Parast candidates in fake cases. He alleged that in Landhi ghost polling stations were set up where officials were taken hostage at gunpoint and thousands of votes were stuffed.

He alleged that in NA-249 polling was stopped in polling stations 11, 14, 15, 68, 73 and 130, at the behest of the PPP candidate and the SHO of Garden and Kalakot. All MQM supporters were thrown out of the polling stations. Similarly, he added, MMA candidates, with the blessing and patronage of the city Nazim’s special secretary, stuffed the ballot, keeping others away for two hours. In that constituency, he said, UC Nazim Dawar Rahim and Naib Nazim Suleman Soomro stuffed the ballot with the connivance of the police.

He also alleged rigging in the election results and in this context cited the outcome of PS-112 where earlier MQM’s Shakir Ali was declared unsuccessful and MMA’s candidate was declared successful. But later when the Muttahida protested and recounting took place, Shakir Ali was declared the winner. Citing various examples, he said that the MQM candidate from PS 94, Abdul Quddoos, was given a receipt of 31000 votes cast in his favour. But when the result was declared, they were reduced to 22,050 votes.

Similarly, he said, Mrs Nasreen Jaleel was congratulated even by the governor over telephone for her victory. But the next morning her victory was turned into defeat.

Mr Shaikh said that in Mirpurkhas polling agents were tied with ropes and ballot boxes were stuffed. In Jhalori, polling continued till midnight. Polling station Junedal Shah was shifted to the residence of a local PPP leader. He accused the PPP leader and the local administration of disconnecting electricity from 7 pm to 10 pm, during the counting. He said similar complaints were also reported from Kashmor where more than 24 polling agents were kidnapped by Waderas to ensure stuffing of votes in their candidate’s favour. He claimed that 100 per cent voting in some of the polling stations of Nawabshah was a farce.

He also alleged “uncalled for and questionable” involvement of Nazimeen in the general elections. He pointed out that in North Nazimabad the town Nazim was arrested by the rangers while fiddling with the ballot boxes. At some polling stations TPOs and Nazimeen were seen together, exerting influence in the favour of MMA candidates.

He said that the Muttahida had brought all those violations to the notice of the Election Commission, but to no avail.