PESHAWAR, May 18: The internally displaced persons (IDPs) of Bara, Khyber Agency, have demanded of the Election Commission of Pakistan to establish polling stations for the elections on 21 polling stations of NA-46 in the settled areas so that maximum number of IDPs could cast their votes.

Speaking at a press conference at Peshawar Press Club on Saturday, the elders of Malikdinkhel tribe led by Haji Daud Khan said that situation of law and order was already out of control in Khyber Agency and they felt threat on the polling day due to some miscreants.

“The ECP had announced the election on the disputed 21 polling stations, but it did not set up polling stations in settled areas for IDPs and thus many of them will be unable to cast votes due to communication problems,” he said.

Flanked by Khayal Mohammad Khan, Azeem Khan, Abdul Jalil and Ameen, he said that the supporters of some of the candidates had forcefully closed the polling stations and smashed ballot boxes on May 11 and that was why the results could not be declared so far.

The ultimate sufferers, he said, were the poor people, who were already suffering due to military operation and if the government did not take preemptive action the miscreants could create problems.

Mr Daud said that in case of any problem the entire responsibility would rest with the ECP and political administration.

RE-ELECTIONS URGED: Losing candidates and their supporters continued complaining about rigging in their constituencies during the May 11 general elections, demanding re-election and action against those involved in buying votes.

Speaking at a press conference at Peshawar Press Club on Saturday, independent candidate from PK-18 Dr Inamullah Khan said that his opponent candidates had lavishly spent money in the elections to change loyalties of voters.

The total votes in the constituency, he claimed, were around 35,000 and the polled votes about 57,000, which reflected massive rigging. He said that the rest of losing candidates had also submitted applications to the Election Commission of Pakistan, but no action was taken so far.

Dr Inam said that nobody could call the recent elections as fair and impartial as the wealthy candidates had openly indulged in use of unfair means.

He demanded of the ECP to probe into the matter and take action against those who violated its code of conduct.

Similarly, a losing candidate from PK-5 Noor Wali also demanded re-election on his seat, saying that his supporters had found hundreds of ballot papers stamped on bat outside the polling stations, but the presiding officer did not listen to their complaints.

He demanded of the ECP to hold inquiry into the rigging reports and announce schedule for re-elections.