KARACHI, May 17: Justice Muhammad Sadiq Leghari, heading the Inquiry Commission of the Election Commission of Pakistan on Monday sought detailed reports from the Additional Home Secretary and Provincial Police Officer
, Sindh, regarding May 12 incidents, the day by-elections were held for three NA and one PS seats in Karachi.
The commission commenced its proceedings at 9.20am on Monday. PPP candidate for PS 121 Umer Jatt was the only politician/candidate who had turned up. The commission asked the concerned officials to submit a detailed report regarding law and order situation, loss of life and property, etc., on the polling day.
Shahadat Awan appeared for the PPP-Parliamentarians and told the commission that he would be representing all the PPP-P candidates in the by-polls. He stated that nine people died, 28 others seriously injured and 50 reported arrested by law-enforcement agencies on the day.
There was a large scale violence which showed the manner in which the polls were held. He submitted that many people were kidnapped and polling agents tortured and attacked, and rigging was committed.
The counsel requested the commission to seek reports from district returning officer, returning officers and other election officials responsible for the conduct of the by-elections.
He further told the commission that ordinary people were barred from appearing before the Inquiry Commission as barricades had been erected in and around the premises of the High Court preventing free movement of potential witnesses and general public.
Justice Leghari remarked that the security might have been beefed up to ensure safety of the general public. He asked the counsel to advise the PPP-P candidates to file complaints along with affidavits of evidence.
The commission then put off further proceedings till Tuesday at 11am. The Election Commission has already stayed announcement of official results of the by-elections in Karachi.
While the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal has already rejected the Inquiry proceedings, the PPP-P has also announced that it would stay away from the proceedings, accusing the EC of being a party. -APP
