ISLAMABAD: The chief of an election monitoring organization, who appeared as witness before the judicial commission, which is inquiring into the charges of deliberate systematic manipulation in the 2013 general elections, did not support the rigging story of different political parties. At no point, did the answers of Muddasir Rizvi, who heads the Fair & Free Election Network (Fafen), to questions put by the lawyers of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) about the parliamentary polls, give a hint of backing the rigging allegations. Rather, they reflected that the polls were transparent but the process needed improvement to get rid of irregularities and discrepancies. Rizvi said the Fafen’s application filed with the commission had stressed that the elections should be held honestly, justly, honestly and in accordance with the law. He talked about the data analysis, polling schemes and electoral rolls. During its protracted campaign against the last elections, the PTI heavily relied on the Fafen report specifically the non-provision of certain forms, which are filled at various stages of the electoral exercise, by the ECP. However, what the NGO’s chief said was hardly helpful for its cause. Before Rizvi, nearly seven witnesses have been cross-examined by the lawyers over the past few weeks, but none has expressed the view that organized rigging, as claimed by the political parties, took place in the elections. It was natural that the National Database & Registration Authority (Nadra) chairman, who was cross-examined on Thursday, would go by the book while responding to the queries relating to the verification of the voters’ thumbprints. His answers impaired the stand of the political parties, which claimed that the polls were subjected to massive systematic rigging to defeat them. It will become clear only during the arguments to be advanced by their lawyers at the concluding stage what they got during the lengthy process of cross-examination to fall back on.PTI lawyer Abdul Hafeez Pirzada, assisted by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) attorney Aitzaz Ahsan, is clearly trying to build up the case for the annulment of the polls. However, he is required to remain within the scope of inquiry, as spelt out in the presidential ordinance. It specifies that the commission will inquire into and determine whether or not the elections were organized and conducted impartially, honestly, fairly, justly and in accordance with law; whether or not the polls were manipulated or influenced pursuant to a systematic effort by design by anyone; and whether or not their results on an overall basis are a true and fair reflection of the mandate given by the electorate. Although the 45-day time given to the commission to complete its inquiry expires on the last day of the current month, the forum has powers to go beyond it.When former election commissioner of Punjab Mehboob Anwar deposed before the commission, facing hundreds of questions, the challengers of the elections were exited to note that extra ballot papers were printed to use them against the PTI although this happened in all the previous polls since 1970 to meet different emergency situations. The PTI has dropped Nabeel Gabol as witness for its own reasons. His statement was expected to be restricted to just one National Assembly constituency of Karachi, NA-246, which he had contested on the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) ticket. Similarly, the PTI also did not prefer to call the former election commissioner of Sindh and a couple of managing directors of government-run printing presses because they were going to support the version of their colleagues, who had been cross-examined. The upcoming testimony of Ishtiaq Ahmed Khan, who by virtue of being the ECP secretary at the time of 2013 elections played a key role in the process, will be important. Along with him, the incumbent ECP secretary has also been summoned to also answer questions about his role as the chief secretary of Balochistan, a post he held when the polls were held. Besides, some other senior ECP officials are also likely to be called to depose as witness and face cross-examination. Among the individuals and institutions that have been consistently attacked for umpteen times for having rigged the elections, the ECP earned the maximum flak. It has been clarifying its position, but it will get the first opportunity at the highest judicial forum to present its side of the story.
