HYDERABAD, Feb 10: Sindh PPP chief Syed Qaim Ali Shah has said that by-elections of PS-71 (Dadu-I) were a fraud as historic rigging and brazen display of government machinery were witnessed and Sindh ministers and advisers stamped ballots to ensure success of PML candidate Pir Mujeeb Shah Jilani.

Speaking at a post-election press conference at the residence of PPP candidate Dr Sikandar Shoro, Mr Shah spoke about alleged malpractices committed by the provincial ministers and government functionaries.

He said PPP voters and supporters were threatened by police officers who asked them not to visit polling stations, saying they had directive to arrest them.

Referring to the presence of state minister Mohammad Ali Malkani, provincial adviser Nuzhat Pathan, ministers Ali Bux Shah, Dr Sohrab Sarki and others in the constituency, Mr Shah said that Ali Bux Shah had stamped ballots at some polling stations and around 20 ministers and advisers had been deputed by the chief minister to ensure the success of the official candidate.

He said that Sindh minister Altaf Unnar had countersigned ballots at Unnarpur polling station. "Such steps are taken by those who feel that they are losing and Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim has done this as he perhaps felt that he would lose his office if the PML lost the by-election. He said that the chief minister had called people even from Mithi.