ISLAMABAD, Dec 12: The Election Commission of Pakistan on Thursday directed Riffat Javed, MNA from NA 117, Narowal, and Col (retd) Javed Safdar, the district Nazim Narowal, to file rejoinders if they so wished to the affidavit of Ahsan Iqbal, alleging massive irregularities on the election day.

The EC commenced its proceedings on Thursday, pursuant to the directions of the Supreme Court to decide the election dispute within the statutory limit of 60 days from Oct 25, 2002, the date of issuance of the provisional notification.

Before the commission, Akram Sheikh, who represented Ahsan Iqbal, highlighted the report of the returning officer, who had categorically admitted “prevalence of extensive illegal and corrupt practices” on the polling day in the whole constituency by the PML-Q supporters.

The returning officer informed the commission in his report that reports about illegal activities of the PML-Q supporters harassing PML-N voters to stop them from exercising the right of franchise by force, snatching of ballot papers from the polling staff, and stuffing of the ballot boxes with bogus votes, had started coming in before noon on the polling day.

The report said that a gang of 16 armed men was intercepted and rounded up by an army contingent posted on election duty. The returning officer also reported that the district Nazim Narowal was using his wireless set to coordinate and monitor this illegal activity.

Mr Sheikh contended that the election of constituency NA 117 Narowal-III was one of such instances which had marred the conduct of election in the country.

He pointed out to the commission that the European Union Observers Commission had particularly commented on the role of the district Nazim Narowal interfering with the election process and using district government resources in support of his wife.