LAHORE, July 27: The MMA has suggested summary anti-terrorism courts for speedy trial of people who will display or use arms on the polling day for the local elections.

In an open letter to the election commission, MMA central leader Liaquat Baloch said carrying of arms on the polling day should be declared an offence under the anti-terrorism act and summary courts should be established to sentence the accused.

He also proposed that occupying a polling station or indulging in hooliganism there, use of bogus identity cards, and preventing a voter from casting his vote should also be declared an offence.

He, however, sought that in no case polling should be suspended and instead on reports of rigging action should be initiated against the criminals.

Baloch also demanded issuance of a signed copy of results by the presiding officer to each candidate and a strict action should be taken against the officer who refuses to do so.

Unofficial results should be announced maximum eight hours after the polling concluded and the trend of sending the results to any cell or agency should be discouraged.

If it proves that any individual or institution had tried to hijack the results, not only the candidate concerned but also the voter should be authorized to file a reference in the Supreme Court against it.

He also demanded that the polling staff be bound to issue ballot paper only after production of the identity card by the voter concerned.

Legal action should be initiated if number of the identity card is found missing on the counter foil.

The MMA leader also sought explanation regarding allotment of symbols as in the regulation concerned no procedure has been mentioned for the purpose which results in manipulation by the influential contestants.