Probe ordered into by-poll complaints

Published August 12, 2004

ISLAMABAD, Aug 11: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Justice Irshad Hasan Khan has received comments of Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim on the complaints of the People's Party Parliamentarians (PPP) regarding violation of election rules in Tharparkar , decided to send it to the district returning officer and sessions judge for holding an inquiry.

The decision was taken by the CEC while presiding over a meeting here on Wednesday, says a handout. The EC examined the complaints, lodged by the Election Cell of the PPP, regarding conduct of by-election in NA-229 Tharparkar.

"The Commission resolved to transmit these complaints as well as comments received thereon to the district and sessions judge, Tharparkar, for a summary inquiry in accordance with law and report," it said.

The meeting was informed that the returning officers had finalized plans for safe transportation of election material and polling staff from the offices of returning officers to respective polling stations and back.

The EC directed the returning officers and presiding officers to ensure that all voters were allowed to vote without any hindrance and no one was allowed to cast vote more than once. The EC also directed the presiding officers to observe in letter and spirit the Counting of Votes (General Election) Order, 2002.