MUZAFFARABAD: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) chapter of the PML-N on Tuesday called upon the chief election commissioner (CEC) to take stock of “horse-trading” in the AJK Council election and suspend the process until the installation of a new legislative assembly.

“The CEC is empowered to take action against the use of unfair means in elections. Since buying and selling of votes for the council elections has started after the high court decision, he should nullify the whole process,” PML-N president Raja Farooq Haider said at a press conference.

The AJK High Court on Monday dismissed a writ petition by two PML-N legislators, whereby they had sought postponement of council polls until the installation of the new assembly.

“We respect courts, but they should not have disposed off this case hurriedly, because this case has some points which deal with our political ethics,” Mr Haider said, indicating that the PML-N might file an appeal against the judgment in the apex court, after consultations with its legal team.

“But I must put it on record that I feel ashamed of being called an MLA because a general perception has developed that MLAs are casting their votes for money,” Mr Haider said.

However, he asserted that not a single legislator from his party fell in the lot that had put its votes on sale.

He said ruling PPP workers had been issuing press statements alluding to the sale of tickets and purchase of votes.

“The CEC should summon and ask such people the reason behind the desire to get council polls conducted instantly,” he said.

Referring to the PTI, he said that ironically it had fielded a candidate for the council polls, despite the fact it had only one vote. “Obviously, they plan to buy the remaining nine votes to grab one seat. I ask them is this not a form of corruption?”

Regarding Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s recent public rally in AJK, Mr Haider said: “Mr Bilawal should not have levelled false allegations against the government and the state of Pakistan to play to the galleries. In doing so he has sent a disappointing message across the Line of Control,” he said.

He said while Bilawal spoke against corruption, but could he give any answer to the allegations being made by his own party officials with regard to AJK Council polls.

“In fact the PPP chairman is completely unaware of the extent of loot and plunder in AJK perpetrated by his party’s government in AJK. However, he may get a clear picture after giving hearing to those PPP workers who are spilling the beans to the media.”

Published in Dawn, May 4th, 2016