ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Thursday submitted before the Judicial Commission (JC) that the election results were shocking and surprising especially in the Punjab and Khyber Pukhtunkhwa (KP) alleging that the Returning Officers (ROs) and Presiding Officers (POs) were used to subvert the results during 2013 general elections. In pursuant to the General Election 2013 Inquiry Commission earlier directives, the PPP through its senior leader Sardar Latif Khosa, submitted the reply.Through the submitted reply the PPP said, “It will examine witnesses at the appropriate time if so minded, the material and record it relied on was contained in the electoral bags of the Punjab and KP constituencies. In addition, the reply contended that it would submit an analysis by experts drawn from statistics given in a DVD obtained from the ECP.In response to the GEIC question to parties of the matter, “Do you allege that the general election 2013 were manipulated or influenced pursuant to a systematic effort by design by any one”, the PPPP said that it was primarily the duty of the GEIC itself saying even if no party were to answer these questions the commission had to carry the burden of discovering the plan/design and its authours. However, the PPPP submitted, “The plan/design was to make it lose in the Punjab and KP – the identity of the planners will surely be revealed by the inspection of the said record and record with the ECP – If, for instance, bags with seals intact consistently show destruction of certain specific record, such as Form XIV and XV, or the voters list, the Returning Officers will have been the instrument and this circumstance will point in one direction – If, however, the very seals of bags are found missing, mutilated or broken, this circumstance will point in another direction – it is primarily the duty of this commission to find out the planners – This will be revealed from the condition of the electoral record”. Meanwhile, the Judicial Commission directed Abdul Hafeez Pirzada, counsel for PTI, to take instructions form his client and inform the court.Earlier, a three-member General Election 2013 Judicial Commission headed by Chief Justice Nasirul Mulk and comprising Justice Ameer Hani Muslim and Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan resumed hearing in the alleged rigging in 2013 general elections. Former Secretary Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Ishtiaq Ahmed recorded his testimony on oath before the Commission.Abdul Hafeez Pirzada cross-examined the former Secretary Election Commission. Answering questions of Mr Pirzada, Ishtiaq Ahmed Khan testified that the Election Commission did not receive Form 15 from the Returning Officers (ROs).To a question regarding decision of using magnetic ink for the verification of the thumb impression, ECP former Secretary said that Nadra assisted the ECP in the matter. To another query, he said that he held many press conferences along with Nadra Deputy Chairman Tariq Malik. During the hearing PTI counsel run the video clip in the courtroom regarding press conference held by Nadra deputy chairman who was saying that no magnetic ink was used in NA-256 and NA-258 saying that it was the responsibility of ECP to provide magnetic ink. The chief justice however, observed that the statement of Nadra deputy chairman was not relevant unless he came as a witness. To a question as to whether he as an ECP ex-Secretary took action against ROs for not sending Form 15, Ishtiaq Ahmed Khan replied that it was up to the ECP to take action.To another question, ECP former Secretary said that he could not recall if action was taken against Ros for non-issuance of notice to the candidates for consolidation of the results. He further testified that he was not aware about the provincial election commission decision for printing of ballot papers for each constituency adding that as per normal practice the ROs received ballot papers. During the cross examination, Mr Pirzada questioned ECP former Secretary about his resignation and later on rejoining his slot.He further testified that ECP meeting was held in September 2102 regarding printing of ballot papers for 2103 elections saying that election is a huge exercise hence the ECP made preparation for 2013 elections in 2012. He said that the ECP tentatively indicated the number of printing of ballot papers for 2013 general elections.He further said that according to action plan printing of ballot papers was to be completed in 20 days. He said that the authority of determining number of ballot papers was given to ROs by the ECP.Meanwhile, the Commission adjourned the hearing till today (Friday) wherein Shahid Hmaid of PML-N and ECP counsel Salman Akram Raja would cross examine the ECP former Secretary.
