SAHIWAL, Jan 14: An independent candidate contesting the Feb 18 elections alleges that the government has started pre-poll rigging.

Syed Imtiaz Ali Shah, candidate for PP-221, alleged the government had asked returning officers to collect balloting papers from government employees with their signatures on the ballots.

These ballots would be used to favour king’s party nominees, he said. Similarly, the postal ballots of prisoners in the Sahiwal Central Jail would also be used for the government favourites, he said.

He demanded the Election Commission stop this process. He also appealed to European Union observers to play their role in stopping such practices.

Mr Shah, also Pakistan Muslim League-Q district information secretary, says that he is in the run in protest against the party for awarding ticket to Rana Aftab Ahmed, who defected to the PML-Q from the Pakistan People’s Party.

Also, two PML-Q office bearers have joined the PPP. PML-Q District Vice President Arshad Bhutta and City Information Secretary Sheikh Muhammad Nasrullah announced joining the PPP in the presence of PPP candidate for NA-160 Mian Anwarul Haq Ramay and PP-221 candidate Zaki Chaudhry.

On the occasion, the recitation of the Holy Quran was held for the late PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto.