While Falsifying Claims, the Pakistani Electoral Committee Interviews DROs and ROs

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has initiated a high-level investigation into allegations made by former Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatha regarding election rigging. This committee, headed by a senior member of the ECP, has gathered statements from District Returning Officers (DROs) and Returning Officers (ROs) from 13 National Assembly constituencies and 26 provincial assembly […]

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has initiated a high-level investigation into allegations made by former Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatha regarding election rigging. This committee, headed by a senior member of the ECP, has gathered statements from District Returning Officers (DROs) and Returning Officers (ROs) from 13 National Assembly constituencies and 26 provincial assembly constituencies in the Rawalpindi division.

Sources report that the committee has obtained a transcript from the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) of Chatha’s press conference, during which he accused the ECP and Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa of involvement in the alleged election rigging.

DROs and ROs have provided written statements to the committee, which is currently compiling its findings to present to the ECP by Wednesday.

In response to these developments, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has escalated its demand for the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja. The PTI holds CEC Raja responsible for the purported failures in ensuring free, fair, and transparent general elections in 2024.

Prime Minister Imran Khan has echoed these concerns and called for an investigation into Chatha’s allegations and the conduct of the February 8 elections. He asserts that CEC Raja’s resignation would facilitate an impartial inquiry into the reported irregularities during the elections.

Chatha’s admission of involvement in election rigging has heightened the controversy surrounding the already contentious polls. He not only admitted to wrongdoing but also accused the ECP and Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa of complicity in the alleged rigging, claims that have been denied by both parties.

In response to Chatha’s accusations, the ECP has unequivocally refuted the claims, emphasizing that neither the ECP nor its officials instructed the Rawalpindi commissioner to tamper with election results. The ECP clarified that commissioners do not have a direct role in conducting elections, as they are not DROs, ROs, or Presiding Officers (POs).

Following the press conference, Liaquat Ali Chatha was transferred from his position, and Saif Anwar Jappa, DG of Rawalpindi Development Authority, was assigned additional responsibilities.