KARACHI: Chief of MQM Pakistan, Dr Farooq Sattar, claimed in a press conference on Thursday that plans had been made to ensure MQM was defeated in the PS-127 by-polls.
As unofficial results declared PPP's candidateGhulam Murtaza Baloch the victor of Malir's PS-127 elections and MQM's Wasim Ahmad came in second, MQM Pakistan's chief Dr Farooq Sattar held a press conference in which he alleged rigging had took place in the by-elections.
"Rigging took place in 52 polling stations of the constitutency," he said. "It was planned to defeat MQM by hook or by crook in PS-127 by-elections," he added.
Farooq Sattar said that MQM was waiting for some information and if the need arises, his party would take the case of PS-127 by-polls to the election tribunal as well as the courts, for justice. He said that the returning officer had announced unofficial results from 82 polling stations.
"We are lacking by 5,000 votes as per the elections results announced by the returning officer," he said. "We still haven't been provided with elections results of 52 polling stations," claimed Farooq Sattar.
Farooq Sattar claimed that in 82 polling stations, MQM had secured the lead from PPP with a difference of 9,000 votes in the by-elections.
"There must be 16,000 votes altogether in 20 of the 52 polling stations," he said. "Why haven't the unofficial results of these 52 polling stations been announced?" he asked.
Farooq Sattar claimed that there was something suspicious going on and said that the suspicion would continue to mount as long as the delay to provide the election results of the 52 polling stations grew.
Dr Farooq Sattar said that if elections were again held under the supervision of Rangers, MQM would amass 35,000 votes.