PESHAWAR, May 24: Khyber Students Union has demanded of the Election Commission to verify the electoral lists for NA-46 by Nadra to thwart rigging in the re-polling being held on some polling stations on June 5.

The demand was raised by the president of the union Muslim Khan Afridi while talking to reporters at Peshawar Press Club on Friday.

He said only nine people had polled votes in the polling stations 44 and 55, but the election staff had showed 109 votes polled. He also demanded probe into the alleged rigging and action against those involved.

Mr Afridi blamed the political administration of Khyber Agency for supporting an independent candidate Hameedullah Jan Afridi. He said Khasadar and levies personnel also influenced the election process on May 11. He alleged that the government machinery was being used for ensuring success of Hamidullah Jan Afridi.

“To ensure free, fair and transparent elections the government should replace the administration officials, especially the political agent,” he demanded. He said as the political agent was also the district returning officer he should be impartial.

“We appreciate the decision taken by the ECP for extending date for re-polling from May 25 to June 5,” he said.

Khyber Students’ Union general secretary Neakmat Shah, Zahidullah and others were also present on the occasion.

Mr Afridi called for sufficient security steps to ensure free, fair and transparent re-polling. —Bureau Report