ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan presented a pre-scan report that he said was issued by the National Database & Registration Authority (NADRA), saying that it contained concrete evidence to suggest mass-scale irregularities in the NA-122 general election in Lahore.

Imran Khan was defeated by PML-N's Ayaz Sadiq in the said constituency. Sadiq is currently the National Assembly's speaker.

Talking to media personnel after meeting NADRA’s chief to “enquire about forensic reports the authority had to submit to an election tribunal investigating alleged rigging in NA-122,” Imran said the NADRA chief had assured him that the report will be submitted to the election tribunal this week.

Waving the pre-scan report in front of cameras, Imran said it suggested that ballot books were inscribed with duplicate serial numbers in 50 polling stations. “Polling stations used books with serial numbers that were not meant for them,” claimed the PTI chief.

Khan further said that electoral rolls were missing from 24 polling stations.

“NADRA is yet to complete its findings on thumbprint verification, and once that is done its report will be complete,” said Imran Khan.

Imran said his party will pursue criminal cases against the returning officers responsible for these irregularities. “It is obvious this was planned; how could the officers not see what was going on?” said Imran.

Read more: Election tribunal orders re-election in NA-125, PP-155

"Saad Rafique is saying he is being punished for returning officers' failure. He, along with Hamid Khan, should take them to court," said Khan.

Imran Khan's convoy. ─ DawnNews screengrab

“These were all last-minute efforts to change the results and opening the ballot boxes has brought out the truth,” he added.

Imran Khan said he would present all these facts before the judicial commission probing the 2013 general election and expressed satisfaction with the commission’s scrutiny.

The PTI chief went on to say that the NA-122 tribunal decision will be no different than the NA-125 result, where a re-election has been ordered after serious irregularities in the election process were proven.

Read more: PTI's struggle bearing fruit, says Imran Khan

“These two constituencies are among the four we had initially demanded be investigated thoroughly. Had the government scrutinised them at that point, there would have been no need for the 126 days of protests.”

NADRA chief rebuts Imran Khan's statement

In a press conference held later in the day, NADRA Chairman Usman Y. Mobin said Imran Khan's conversation with journalists had created a false perception that NADRA handed over parts of its forensic report to the PTI chief.

"I want to clarify that NADRA did not hand over any report to Imran Khan or any other individual or person. The report is confidential and will be sent directly to the election tribunal sealed," said the NADRA chief.

NADRA Chairman Usman Y. Mobin.- DawnNews screengrab

Mr Mobin also said that NADRA is a national institution and has complete operational independence. He urged that no pressure be exerted on the institution as it delved into important investigations.

The NADRA chief also said his institution was under no pressure from the government.