Five arrested by Rangers on suspicion of casting bogus votes

Published April 23, 2015
Rehan Ahmed. — DawnNews screengrab
Rehan Ahmed. — DawnNews screengrab
Syed Majid Ali. — DawnNews screengrab
Syed Majid Ali. — DawnNews screengrab

KARACHI: Rangers personnel on Thursday arrested five individuals, including three presiding officers, on suspicion of casting bogus votes, in polling stations in NA-246 constituency.

Presiding officer Syed Majid Ali was handed a three-month jail sentence and fined Rs5000, whereas another presiding officer Rehan Ahmed was awarded a six-month imprisonment and a Rs5000 fine.

The fine and sentence were awarded by the paramilitary force using magisterial powers.

Later, two civilian voters were also arrested from Delhi School for casting bogus votes. Separately a female presiding officer was arrested from Zubeida Hajiana School.

The arrested persons have been handed over to police who are currently interrogating them.

Although 14 candidates are in the run, but the NA-246 by-poll is largely expected to be a three-way contest between Kanwar Naveed Jameel of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Imran Ismail of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and Rashid Naseem of the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI).

The said constituency is considered to be an MQM bastion because its headquarters Nine Zero is located there and the party had emerged victorious in all three previous general elections in 2002, 2008 and 2013 and in a by-election in May 2004. It comprises Federal B. Area, Federal Capital Area and parts of Liaquatabad.

Opinion

Editorial

Dangerous law
Updated 17 May, 2024

Dangerous law

It must remember that the same law can be weaponised against it one day, just as Peca was when the PTI took power.
Uncalled for pressure
17 May, 2024

Uncalled for pressure

THE recent press conferences by Senators Faisal Vawda and Talal Chaudhry, where they demanded evidence from judges...
KP tussle
17 May, 2024

KP tussle

THE growing war of words between KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Governor Faisal Karim Kundi is affecting...
Dubai properties
Updated 16 May, 2024

Dubai properties

It is hoped that any investigation that is conducted will be fair and that no wrongdoing will be excused.
In good faith
16 May, 2024

In good faith

THE ‘P’ in PTI might as well stand for perplexing. After a constant yo-yoing around holding talks, the PTI has...
CTDs’ shortcomings
16 May, 2024

CTDs’ shortcomings

WHILE threats from terrorist groups need to be countered on the battlefield through military means, long-term ...