PTI rejects ECP’s claim on printing of extra ballot papers

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Tuesday refuted the claim of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for adopting a unified formula for printing ballot papers for all the constituencies of the National Assembly during the 2013 general elections.
The three-member judicial commission probing the rigging allegations in the 2013 general elections headed by Chief Justice Nasirul Mulk and comprising Justice Amir Hani Muslim and Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan resumed its hearing.
Abdul Hafeez Pirzada, counsel for the PTI, submitted before the judicial commission that the ECP had printed ballot papers for the National Assembly constituencies in different numbers. He refuted the claim of the ECP made in its reply stating that a unified formula was adopted during the general elections for printing ballot papers. Pirzada said the documents do not prove the claim made by the ECP.
The PTI counsel in the light of documents submitted before the commission that over two million ballot papers were printed in excess of the registered voters in Multan, Bahawalpur and Sahiwal divisions, adding that the same method was adopted in DG Khan and other divisions. He further submitted that over 30,000 ballot papers were printed for NA-154, Lodhran constituency, adding that this was the constituency where the PTI chief Imran Khan had repeatedly demanded an audit.
During the course of the hearing, Abdul Hafeez Pirzada showed documents to the commission regarding NA-21, Torgar cum Mansehra-2 where the son-in-law of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Captain (retd) Safdar won the election. Pirzada contended that over 60,000 extra ballot papers were printed for the said constituency.
Likewise, Pirzada showed documents regarding NA-125 where registered voters were 429,115, but 505,000 ballot papers were printed, NA-130, Lahore where 291,433 voters were registered but some 365,700 ballot papers were printed.
“It’s like announcing election results,” Justice Nasirul Mulk remarked in a light tone.Pirzada further submitted that in NA-92 Toba Tek Singh-2, there were 354,476 registered voters while 387,900 ballot papers were printed. Similarly, in NA-49, Islamabad, there were 341,113 registered voters, however 241,300 ballot papers were supplied. Pirzada said he is going to provide three more documents to the commission.
Earlier during cross-examination, former Punjab election commissioner while responding to Pirzada’s questions said thatballot papers were printed according to the demand made by the respective returning officers of the constituency. He further testified that no specific instructions were received from the Election Commission for printing extra ballot papers for any specific constituency.
He further said that he had prepared and submitted the report after some allegations appeared in newspaper reports regarding printing of extra ballot papers, adding that for the first time such allegations were received against him.
To another question, he said he do not remember as to whether any allegation was made against him on any TV programme. “It is correct that the printing of ballot papers was under my control,” Mehboob Anwar testified in another question put by Pirzada.
He further said that there is no mention in the instructions regarding printing of ballot papers by five to 10 percent in excess of the registered voters. When Pirzada drew the attention of Mehboob Anwar towards NA-154, Lodhran, the former Punjab election commissioner replied that he was not aware of the demand of Imran Khan for auditing in the said constituency.
To another query, Mehboob Anwar said it is not correct to say that some 34 persons were supplied for binding ballot papers.To another question, he replied that the skilled labourers arrived in Islamabad at 8:00pm in the morning but he don’t know for how long they worked there.Later, the Judicial Commission adjourned the hearing till today (Wednesday) wherein Pirzada will continue cross-examining Mehboob Anwar.