PTI, PPP allege rigging in PP-52 by-poll

ISLAMABAD/LAHORE: Leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), speaking in the Parliament House and addressing press conferences separately in Islamabad and Lahore on Monday, alleged ‘massive’ rigging in PP-52 Sambrial by-elections, demanded re-election and vowed to move courts of law against electoral laws violations.

Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly (NA) Omar Ayub Khan, while talking to the media at the Parliament House Islamabad, denounced what he called the shameful events in Sambrial by-poll, highlighting incidents where ballot boxes were stolen in broad daylight, presiding officers fled, and police were caught stamping ballots.

He claimed that polling agents were denied access, whereas the returning officer (RO) offices were sealed with containers.

Speaking on the occasion, Asad Qaiser strongly criticised the way the by-election was conducted in Sambrial and hailed PTI’s ‘overwhelming victory’ as proof of the party’s unshaken public support. He also emphasised that despite full federal and provincial backing, the PMLN failed to win the seat, clearly reflecting their waning popularity.

He pointed out that if the PMLN had truly been in a winning position, then there would have been no need for the senior poll staffers to flee with ballot boxes. Asad Qaiser also expressed grave concern over what he called the political victimisation, including baseless charges against MNA Abdul Latif Chitrali, and questioned the legitimacy of a National Assembly where the opposition leader is under attack.

He said that the Speaker’s office should remain neutral and above pressure. Highlighting PTI’s commitment to democratic values, he vowed to take the movement for constitutional supremacy to the people.

Meanwhile, PTI Secretary General Barrister Salman Akram Raja Monday rejected the results of the PP-52 Sambrial by-election, announcing that the party would pursue legal action over what he termed “massive rigging”.

Addressing a press conference alongside Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly Malik Ahmad Khan Bachar, Raja said in Lahore the by-poll outcome amounted to a “robbery of the people’s mandate”.

He questioned whether the nation was being treated as a mere “herd” or a community of human beings with democratic rights, calling the alleged manipulation of the vote a national tragedy.

“The people’s mandate has been hijacked,” he said, vowing that PTI would move the courts to seek justice. Malik Ahmad Bachar echoed the concerns, describing the polling day as one marred by repression. He alleged that state machinery, including the police, was used to suppress opposition supporters.

He also raised eyebrows over the victory margin of the PMLN candidate, pointing out that she received 17,000 more votes than her father did in the last general election. “Form 45s were not provided to polling agents of rival parties,” he claimed, adding that the transparency of the electoral process had been completely compromised.

Also, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leadership strongly rejected the results of the PP-52 Sambrial by-election, alleging large-scale rigging and demanding a re-election in the constituency.

Speaking at a joint press conference at the People’s Secretariat in Model Town Lahore, senior PPP leaders, including Central Information Secretary Nadeem Afzal Chan and Punjab General Secretary Syed Hassan Murtaza, claimed the polls were neither transparent nor fair. They accused the civil administration and criminal elements of widespread interference, with polling stations being overrun and ballot boxes allegedly stolen.

“It would be better for the Election Commission to directly issue allotment letters instead of holding such fraudulent elections,” said the PPP leadership. Nadeem Chan said the PPP’s alliance with the PMLN had cost the party its support base, admitting, “People didn’t vote for us not because they supported the PMLN, but because we are seen as allies.” He described the by-election as a “fraud” and criticised the Election Commission and media for serving elite interests.

PPP’s PP-52 candidate Raheel Kamran Cheema demanded formation of an independent commission to probe the alleged rigging. He claimed that out of 185 polling stations, Form 45s were received from only 39. He also alleged that police halted polling in several areas, including Malkanwali and Mitranwali, and that local factory workers were barred from voting.

Hassan Murtaza further lambasted the government’s performance, accusing it of harming public services through privatisation and layoffs. “Despite outsourcing hospitals and privatising schools, their vote bank is still rising due to administrative manipulation,” he said.

The PPP leadership stated that it would prepare for the next election with renewed strategy and reaffirmed its commitment to democratic principles and constitutional supremacy.