ISLAMABAD: The National Party (NP) has warned that the alleged rigging in the July 25 general elections would cast a negative impact on the already deprived people of Balochistan.

Speaking at a news conference at the National Press Club on Saturday, the NP leaders alleged that their polling agents were either removed or were not allowed to enter the polling stations. Moreover, thousands of ballot papers were rejected as there were double stamps on their party symbol, they said.

Yasmeen Lehri, who contested PB-32 Quetta, said she was the first woman in the province who contested a general seat and a number of political parties, including the Pakistan Peoples Party, Pakistan Muslim League-N, Awami National Party and PML-Q, withdraw their candidates in her favour.

“I was contesting with the symbol of ‘Saw’ and deliberate efforts were made to ensure that I lose the election. Majority of my polling agents were not allowed to sit in the polling stations on the pretext that there was rush and seats could not be provided to them. Those who entered were forced to go out of the polling station for Zuhr prayer and were not allowed to return for one and half hours,” she claimed.

Ms Lehri alleged that her victory was deliberately converted into defeat because some elements wanted to give a message that the people of Balochistan were still backward and they don’t cast vote in favour of a woman.

Khair Jaan, who contested PP-44 Awaran seat, said he won the elections of district council twice against Balochistan Awami Party leader Abdul Quddus Bizenjo, but he lost against him in the recent election.

“Despite all the hurdles, created against my polling agents, I lost the election by only 1,500 votes. About 3,000 ballot papers were rejected on which there were double stamps on my symbol. I appeal to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to order recounting of rejected votes,” he said.

Kareem Khetran, who contested PB-08, said he lost the election by only 65 votes, while 2,000 votes were rejected in his constituency.

Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2018