June 26, 2006	Monday	Jumadi-ul-Awwal 29, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, June 25: People’s Party Parliamentarians (PPP) secretary general Raja Pervaiz Ashraf has accused the government of rigging in the by-election in PP-281, Chishtian, Bahawalnagar.

He alleged that the government had resorted to unprecedented rigging during the local government and senate polls and had planned the same strategy for the next year’s general elections.

He was speaking at a press conference at the PPP media centre here on Sunday. Secretary Information of the party Sherry Rehman, Senator Latif Khosa and the PPP candidate for the by-election Wasim Haider Shah were also present.

Mr Ashraf said in sharp contrast to the high claims of fairness and transparency by President Gen Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, the government had committed unparalleled rigging in the by-election held on May 20.

“The government has made records of rigging in the previous general elections, presidential referendum and local government polls. Now, it is planning to do the same in the forthcoming general elections,” he added.

He alleged that the king’s party had misused all government resources and machinery during the by-polls in Chishtian to tailor the results in their favour.

Much before the by-polls, the tehsil nazim and other government officials had threatened the people not to cast their votes in favour of the PPP candidate, Mr Ashraf alleged. He said a large number of voters stayed away from polls due to law and order situation in the constituency as the government had failed to ensure safety of the voters.

He said in 40 polling stations there was not even a single voter. In such a situation and lowest turnout, how could one win or lose the election, he asked.

Sherry Rahman said her party would take legal action against the massive and unprecedented rigging. Due to lawlessness, half of the country, including the tribal areas, Balochistan and parts of Sindh, has become a no-go zone, she maintained.

She said the law and order situation in the country was deteriorating with each passing day as the government had completely failed to protect the lives and property of the citizens.

She said if the situation was not improved it would be impossible to hold next general elections in a fair, free and transparent manner. She said without free election the dream of democracy could never be materialised.

Senator Latif Khosa appealed to the chief justice of Pakistan to take suo motu action against the alleged rigging and declare the by-election in Chishtian null and void.