Imran accuses ECP of ‘covering up’ rigging
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ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has, once again, accused the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) of playing to the gallery and “concealing the evidence” that could prove the May 2013 elections were, in fact, heavily rigged.
In a press statement on Wednesday, party chief Imran Khan condemned the ECP for “covering up various issues, including the printing of extra ballot papers”, which he claimed to have exposed at a press conference on Nov 28.
The PTI media wing released Mr Khan’s statement, detailing how the ECP had been changing its stance over the past couple of months, particularly on the matter of printing more ballot papers than there were registered voters, which the PTI leadership believed were used to engineer election results in favour of the ruling PML-N.
“It is important to point out...that on August 18, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, in the presence of ECP Secretary Ishtiaq A. Khan, said that only 180 million ballot papers were printed,” the statement said.
“Then, on Nov 28, when Mr Khan exposed the fact that at least 5.3 million extra ballot papers were printed, the ECP stated in the press that ‘only 0.8 million extra ballot papers were printed’. However, in another retraction, the ECP said on Dec 1, that ‘9.3 million extra ballot papers were printed’,” the statement said.
“As stated in our press conference on Nov 28...PTI has much more information, which when published, will punch holes in all of ECP’s stories, but it will be presented [before] a duly constituted investigating commission under the Supreme Court... to look at all aspects of rigging,” the PTI leader maintained.
The PTI wants a special judicial commission with special ToRs to be set up. The commission, PTI insists, should have authority of the executive to conduct an investigation into allegations of electoral rigging.
Published in Dawn, December 4th, 2014
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Comments (46) Closed
Dec 04, 2014 09:02am
The simplest way to solve this problem is that IK brings his prove he says he has. He keeps on going on accusing but has not a single time brought any prove. It is now time to do so. I would never want to be on any of his team as he is such an exploiter I guess he is too influenced with the Rasheed and Qurashi who are know liars. Why can't he be himself or is he the same??
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Dec 04, 2014 09:06am
He sounds more crazy by the day. 30th November came and went and nothing happened. He needs to stop being a spoilt brat and wait for 2018 elections. International observers had declared the elections as fair. He has already hurt Pakistan a lot and with the dream of shut down will just alienate more people.
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Dec 04, 2014 09:07am
It is unfortunate in Pakistan's history that election commission was formed by political parties filled by their repective political appointees. These people are not responsible to Pakistani public but to their masters. Despite holding the most tainted elections these people are still enjoying perks in election commission and don't have the grace to resign.
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Dec 04, 2014 09:19am
Whether there is rigging or not, you could not be PM with 32 seats in NA. So, history will look at you as a person who wasted precious nation's time with crying foul. There was indeed London plan to topple the governmnet with military intervention, but that failed. Let me remind you something, there is third international party which does want to deal with you at this point, so go back to NA and do your part without harrasing the government with plans, and wait for 2018 and see if you can translate your popularity into votes. May be in 2018, that third party in case you can win with landslide might accommodate you.
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Dec 04, 2014 09:29am
Imran Khan has lost it. This man will tell as many lies as possible to become the PM. Liar Khan
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Dec 04, 2014 09:50am
So another one charged by the geart khan sb for rigging. Now the only one left is sattar edhi and ban ki moon.
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Dec 04, 2014 09:51am
ECP is NOT just a partner in crime but a bigger partner in crime which is proved by their repeated change in statements. This democracy is shameful to say the least.
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Dec 04, 2014 09:55am
It is Khan's job to accuse some one other wise his whole campaign will be death. That is why he never brings the evidence supporting his accusations. What else would he do in his live just looking at the Margalla hills ?? He is a lonely man Who's children have grown up in a different culture and are most likely never going to live here. So he needs to do what he is doing best to draw attention to his accusations. Maybe if we are lucky he will spell out some plan to safe this country .
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Dec 04, 2014 09:57am
There is some amount of rigging in ALL elections and in all democracies. The trick is to keep it under control. Ask Al Gore.
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Dec 04, 2014 09:58am
Issac dar was not part of the ECP nor was he in charge of the elections.
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Dec 04, 2014 10:05am
Imran Khan, gives us break man, you have been on the front page of the news almost 4 months at a stretch and getting really really tiring to see in the news everyday.
Face it your party did not win the election. Give it break come back in 5 years time.
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Dec 04, 2014 10:08am
IK, Your persistence and Perseverance is amazing. If it doesn't result in fall of wicket, but it may level the playing field for all who have been cheated, denied and fooled. God Bless Captain!
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Dec 04, 2014 10:09am
Keep dreaming dude!
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Dec 04, 2014 10:22am
When will he quit? Imran please go home, come back in 4 years, we all need a break from you.
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Dec 04, 2014 10:28am
his soap opera is insufferable, NS for gods sake resign and let him have a go
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Dec 04, 2014 10:31am
It is strange that issue of rigging of elections came to mind of ik after 18 months. I think shah mahmood qureshi advised ik to do politics by raising this issue.has ik formed govt in kpk as a result of rigged elections.All parties must shun negative politics and contribute towards development of our dear homeland.
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Dec 04, 2014 10:32am
Khan's not the kind of guy, who will roll over if you cheat him. He is relentless and determined and in that lies the key to his success.
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Dec 04, 2014 10:37am
Now it is the time for PM Nawaz Shariff to set up a special judicial commission. The commission as PTI is asking should have authority of the executive to conduct an investigation into allegations of electoral rigging. Now, the ball is in Nawaz's court.
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Dec 04, 2014 10:43am
KPK people have accused you of your performance in KPK. There was true democracy only in KPK and yet..
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Dec 04, 2014 10:43am
You must expect ECP to do what they are doing. Who will expose their own foul play!
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Dec 04, 2014 10:45am
Imran has lots of reselience
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Dec 04, 2014 10:55am
All that rigging stuff might have some truth. Instead of whining about it I would recommend Mr. IK to go back to the assemblies and try to push the parliament to reform the electoral system so that in 2018 this does not happen again. Mr. IK for once in your life think about Pakistan instead of your own personal ambitions.
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Dec 04, 2014 10:56am
Keep up the pressure IK. These thugs have destroyed every fiber of the country and they must be taught a tough lesson.
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Dec 04, 2014 10:56am
Cheats and crooks never give up. I want to see one person sent to jail for election fraud. Until that happens, stories will keep changing, evidence will keep getting destroyed and the likes of Ayyaz Sadiq will keep hiding behind stay orders. And the trolls will keep hitting these pages.
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Dec 04, 2014 10:58am
@Zaida Parvez: But the rigging is not acceptable in those countries. If you can remember there was a month long wait for the election results in Elgore's case until the supreme court gave its verdict in the favor of Bush. Where is the justice in Pakistan in this regard even after every single party has claimed that there was a massive rigging. Don't try to correct a wrong with another wrong. You will go no where and just keep sinking this ship called Pakistan further.
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Dec 04, 2014 11:00am
@Mukhtar Naqvi: and we are sick and tired of seeing these corrupt faces of PML(N) and PPP over and over again who have brought misery to the people.
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Dec 04, 2014 11:00am
It seems that the ambit of PTI politics includes the principles of waging and launching blame-war. PTI may approach to parliament for formulating policies and getting them implemented for fair and free elections in 2018.
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Dec 04, 2014 11:00am
@Mani: Everything starts with a dream. Only losers don't.
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Dec 04, 2014 11:12am
It take multiple level of blindness, dropping eyelids, corneal & lense opacity, macula degeneration, severed optic nerve & stroke of visual center in brain, to reject undeniable evidence of rigging in last general elections, boiling out from all over.
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Dec 04, 2014 11:15am
The Naatak of Election Rigging may last until 2018. If Mr. Imran Khan wants this drama to end earlier, go to Supreme Court, seek from Court all his wishes but do not do Dharna and Jalsa in Court. Hopefully the Court may grant all his wishes after necessary investigation and review of case.
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Dec 04, 2014 11:24am
Keep it up Imran Khan, After decades we found a leader like you. You are a treasure for the nation.
@Tarzan
Stop being stupid. Can't you be neutral at thinking? Why ECP is changing statements upon every reaction. Who has lust for become PM, the one who is 3rd time PM by open rigging or the one who has never been? When a company prepares Annual Report it gets it audited, why not election results?
@Mukhtar Naqvi
You give us a break by letting us part our ways from corruption, Party who one the election its members say that rigging took place, why not to get audited when have doubts, the thing is PMLN would lose if let the cat out of the bag.
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Dec 04, 2014 11:28am
ECP is wrong, Former CJP and Army chief, caretaker govt was part of rigging, all political parties are wrong, police and govt is wrong.
What is problem with IK????
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Dec 04, 2014 11:31am
If IK is wrong then best way to expose him is to do investigation of election. But, these guys will not do that, because it is not only matter of rigging but also of corruption of billions of rupees. And Pakistani governments and departments have history to put under carpet the cases of corruption.
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Dec 04, 2014 11:31am
Totally frustrated now.
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Dec 04, 2014 11:36am
@Mukhtar Naqvi why should IK
give a break so that this government should continue to loot and plunder till they finish their terms.
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Dec 04, 2014 11:39am
Does this Guy trust anybody, frankly not even funny now,
Everybody is corrupt only the people who stand with him on the container are pious, although maybe before one day they maybe the member of PML (N) or PPP but as soon as they climb the the holy container all their sins are washed off and they become saints and if they leave the container then they again become evil.
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Dec 04, 2014 11:48am
If ECP is so responsible and independent department then why we see controversy in their statements, why these people playing with Pakistan.
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Dec 04, 2014 11:59am
ECP lies on record and people still want proof/evidence. Certainly for some status quo supporters evidence must come in form of dollar brief cases for them to understand.
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Dec 04, 2014 12:04pm
This ECP should be dissolved right now!
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Dec 04, 2014 12:11pm
Do the maths and convince me something seriously wrong did not happen in May 2013!
Elections 2008:
Overall Voter Turnout: 44.01%
Total PML(N) votes: 68,05324
Seat change in favor of PML(N): 70 more seats than 2002 elections
Swing in PML(N)'s favor from 2002 elections: 3%
Elections 2013:
Overall Voter Turnout: 55.02%
Total PML(N) votes: 148,74104
Seat change in favor of PML(N): 77 more seats than 2008 elections
Swing in PML(N)'s favor from 2008 elections: 55.72%
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Dec 04, 2014 12:12pm
He is not the only one saying that the whole Pakistan is saying that
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Dec 04, 2014 12:17pm
ECP is NOT just a partner in crime but a bigger partner in crime which is proved by their repeated change in statements. This democracy is shameful to say the least.
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Dec 04, 2014 12:49pm
Simple solution of this issue is to re check each and every vote in front of camera's. Install and manage biometric polling system (not electronic) for coming elections and dissolve and de politicise ECP.
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Dec 04, 2014 12:58pm
Now you can see some anti-IK folks, please write your comments it's your time. LOL.
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Dec 04, 2014 01:05pm
Corrupt Nawaz Sharif and his supporters are trying very hard clinging on to power as they realize this is their last chance to loot and plunder their own country. Shame
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Dec 04, 2014 01:14pm
We want special judicial commission. We want justice. We will keep our struggle continue until justice prevails.
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