CHITRAL: The All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) candidate for the district council seat Shahzada Amir Hasanatuddin has alleged large-scale rigging before, during and after the polling in the recently concluded local body elections in the district and demanded of the election commission to order re-polling.

Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, he alleged that the district administration fully supported the JUI due to which he (Shahzada) lost the election by a very narrow margin from Chitral ward-II.

Mr Hasanatuddin alias Shazada Gul claimed that the entire polling staff in the polling station of his constituency had reportedly strong affiliations with the religious parties, JI and JUI, which were in electoral alliance in the district.

He alleged that the polling staff stopped his supporters from casting their votes and also maneuvered the results during the counting process. “Taking advantage of loadshedding of electricity during the counting process, they (the election staff) manipulated the ballot papers cast in my favour to the benefit of the JUI candidate.”

He said the returning officer didn’t take any interest when he complained about the irregularities.

Meanwhile, the PTI candidate from Denin ward, Abdul Wali Khan Advocate has alleged that Maghfirat Shah, district emir of JI, with the help of deputy commissioner Chitral, was involved in rigging.

Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, he claimed that Local Government Minister Inayatullah gave Rs30 million to Mr Shah for development works in the area before the elections.

The PTI leader said his voters were harassed in the polling station situated in Jughoor village, which is native area of his opponent candidate, who got posted polling staff of his own choice. The PTI leader said that the district returning officer and the returning officer refused his request for a recount of the ballot papers.

Published in Dawn, June 4th, 2015

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