Army transported ballot papers to Balochistan: ECP

ISLAMABAD: Secretary Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Babar Yaqoob Fateh Muhammad on Monday testified before the Inquiry Commission that the Pakistan Army helicopters transported the ballot papers to the Balochistan constituencies during the 2013 general elections in view of security threats.
The three-member commission, headed by Chief Justice Nasirul Mulk and comprising Justice Ameer Hani Muslim and Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, resumed hearing in the alleged rigging case.Abdul Hafeez Pirzada and Shahid Hamid, counsel for PTI and PML-N respectively, cross-examined the ECP secretary.
As Babar Yaqoob was chief secretary Balochistan during the 2013 general election, the counsel for both parties cross-examined him as former chief secretary Balochistan as well as the incumbent secretary ECP.
Counsel for the Election Commission of Pakistan Salman Akram Raja, however, avoided cross-examining Babar.Answering questions of Abdul Hafeez Pirzada, Babar testified that the Pakistan Army helicopters were used in 2013 general election for the transportation of ballot papers from the printing press to the constituencies in view of security threats.
To another question, the secretary ECP said he could not say whether or not the returning officers (ROs) of the constituencies were physically present at the time of delivery of ballot papers.
He further testified that he did not know about the supply of 100 percent extra ballot papers to the province. He further said he didn’t know about the total number of ballot papers supplied to the province.
Asked if he was aware of the polling scheme for the province, Babar said he believed it was duly notified through a gazette.To another query, he testified that NA-271, Kharan, was one of the largest constituencies in Balochistan.
Babar further said he did receive many complaints but could not recall a specific complaint received from a particular constituency where the election result was announced.Shah Khawar, counsel for the Balochistan National Party (Awami), also cross-examined Babar during which he made an interesting revelation.
To a question, Babar testified that he was chief guest at a seminar organised by the NAB Balochistan against corruption in a local hotel but denied that he had given a statement against a minister. “I do not recall any statement I had given against a minister,” Babar Yaqoob said.
To another question, the secretary ECP testified that after the seminar he did attend a cabinet meeting saying that not all but few ministers along with the chief minister walked out of the meeting.
In a lighter mood, Chief Justice Nasirul Mulk asked who had presided over the meeting.To another question, Babar said it was incorrect to say that the chief minister had asked him to surrender in the wake of his statement, rather he expressed his regrets.
The ECP secretary could not recall any specific report pertaining to PB-48 and others saying that there was a kind of law and order situation but he could not recall any particular complaint in this regard.
Babar Yaqoob Fateh Muhammad further testified that it was correct to say that the Returning Officer (RO) was removed for PB-48 KH-1 adding that he could not recall that the said RO had consolidated the result.
He testified that the removal of the said RO was made at the request of commissioner Makran and not on the directives of the provincial election commission.
Shahid Hamid also cross-examined him. Babar said it was correct to say that he had appeared before Bench 1 of the Supreme Court in a missing person’s case more than 50 times and was appreciated by the apex court.
To a question, he testified that he managed to supply the election material safe and sound to Turbat, Khuzdar, Panjgur, Kharan and Kalat divisions with the help of army during the local bodies polls, as there was issue of law and order situation in these districts.
He further testified that it was correct to say that almost 400 election petitions were filed with the election commission on the 2013 general elections.He said he could not recall the number of PTI candidates contesting the 2013 general election.
Meanwhile, the Inquiry Commission adjourned the hearing till today (Tuesday). Former secretary Election Commission Ishtiaq Ahmad Khan will record his testimony.Earlier, the commission directed Salman Akram Raja to submit his reply on Tuesday (today) regarding forms 14, 15, 16 and 17 respectively.
The learned counsel submitted that forms 14, 16 and 17 were available; however, for form 15 they were procuring it.He said form 15 contained only ballot papers sent to Presiding Officer (POS) adding that the Returning Officers (ROs) received these forms but it was a separate issue.
Abdul Hafeez Pirzada, however, contended that the ECP should be in possession of form 15 and hence the learned commission should direct the ECP to ensure provision of such form.He further said that the ECP was assuring provision of such form from the very first day but it had not been provided yet.