ISLAMABAD: Political parties have submitted their responses to the questionnaire presented by the Judicial Commission for the purpose of investigating allegations of rigging during the 2013 general elections.

The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf's response to the judicial commission (JC) questionnaire puts the onus for investigation of rigging on the Judicial Commission.

Speaking to DawnNews, PTI leader Jahangir Tareen said "We can only point you in the right direction, they have to investigate those matters further. We don't have the power to conduct investigations on our own, it is the judicial commission's job."

PML-N member, Daniyal Aziz responding to the PTI said "Instead of coming here and saying they have nothing ─ they should either show up with 'clean hands' and present their questions, or apologise to the Judicial Commission."

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement also submitted their responses to the Judicial Commission today which said that they were not allowed to contest elections freely, and that the PML-N and PPP spent the most on campaigning.

DawnNews also reported that ANP counsel claimed Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud had openly threatened the party with suicide bombing attacks. Bashir Bilour and many other party members were killed, and the party was prevented from campaigning freely.

At the request of the MQM, the JC demanded a response from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) within two days.

Earlier in April, the JC presented a questionnaire to political parties for the purpose of investigating parties' allegations of rigging in the 2013 General Elections. Responses were due today, on April 29.

Read more: Judicial commission posits three questions to political parties

A copy of the JC questionnaire

During the commission's ongoing investigation, the questionnaire was sent out to ask three main questions about the 2013 general elections. Each question had a further sub-question to ensure clarity in responses.

The questionnaire asked whether the 2013 elections were carried out in an honest and impartial manner. It directed parties to submit supporting material and present eye-witnesses in the event of a no.

The questionnaire also inquired whether or not the elections were manipulated in a "systematic" manner and the identity of those who may have designed and planned it.

In relation to the systematic procedure, the questionnaire further asked whether rigging was carried out in national constituencies or national and provincial. It also asked if alleged rigging was carried out in a certain province or all four provinces.

The questionnaire will enable political parties to answer the commission's questions regarding electoral rigging clearly. The commission also asked political parties to submit material and name witnesses to support their allegations and responses in the questionnaire.

Read more: Hearing of judicial commission on alleged rigging adjourned for a week