Poll rigging commission gives questionnaire to political parties

ISLAMABAD: The Judicial Commission (JC) formed to probe rigging allegations during the 2013 general elections held its proceedings at the Supreme Court on Monday.

During proceedings Chief Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk said some parties did not submit documents under the commission’s terms of reference and most of the documents submitted were generic.

The JC provided all political parties a questionnaire pertaining to the terms of reference which asks three questions.

Question 1:
(a)Do you allege that the 2013 general elections were not organized and conducted impartially, honestly, fairly and justly in accordance with the law?
(b)If so, specify why?
(c) Please indicate the material and witnesses which you will rely on in order to support your allegation.

Question 2
(a) Do you allege that the general elections 2013 were manipulated or influenced pursuant to a systematic effort by design by anyone?
(b) If so please provide the following details:
(I) Who made the plan/design? The material and witnesses which you will rely on in order to support your allegation.
(II) What was the plan/design? The material and witnesses which you will rely on in order to support your allegation.
(III) Who implemented the plan/design? The material and witnesses which you will rely on in order to support your allegation.
(IV)How was the plan/design implemented? The material and witnesses which you will rely on in order to support your allegation.

Question 3:
(a) Does the “systematic effort” as mentioned in S.3 (b) include just National Assembly (NA) seats of Provincial Assembly (PA) seats as well?
(b) If NA only does it include all 4 provinces or just confined to certain provinces.

PML-N lawyer Shahid Hamid appeared before the commission and said the PML-Q’s petition did not spare anyone and even the judiciary’s independence was attacked.

There was an argument between Shahid Hamid and the lawyer for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Abdul Hafiz Pirzada which was stopped by the chief justice.

Chief Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk remarked that some Returning Officers (ROs) were changed without the consent of the Election Commission of Pakistan, adding that this should have been in the ECP’s knowledge.

The lawyers of the BNP-M and BNP-A also appeared before the commission on Monday. The lawyer for the BNP-A said that the Chief Secretary of Balochistan at that time had played a role in rigging as he was also holding the post of Secretary ECP.

On the request of the BNP-A, the Judicial Commission issued a notice to the ECP and sought a reply within two days.

The commission’s proceedings were adjourned till April 29.