Form-15s missing in many constituencies won by PTI

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) is banking on the missing Form-15s to substantiate allegation of rigging in the 2013 general election 2013 before the Judicial Commission (GEIC) but initial reports indicate that up to 98 per cent of the forms containing ballot paper details are missing in constituencies won by PTI.
According to reports submitted by the RO to three-member Inquiry Commission headed by Chief Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk, a large number of Form-15 are missing from at least 10 constituencies won by PTI. The data is still awaited for nine more constituencies won by PTI.
The report shows that around 98.4% Form-15 are missing from NA-11, a constituency won by PTI’s Mujahid Ali while 95.4% forms were missing in NA-10 Mardan where PTI’s Ali Muhammad Khan won the elections. Similarly in NA-24 Dera Ismail Khan where PTI’s Amir Ullah had won in the 2013 elections, 70% Form-15 were found missing. In NA-150 where PTI’s national organiser Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi won the election, 46.5 % Form-15 were not found. NA-13, NA-15 and NA-48 Islamabad were the only three constituencies won by PTI where all Form-15s had been available.
Form 15 is also known as statement of ballot papers as it contains information about the total ballot papers received for use at the polling station with their serial numbers.The returning officer and presiding officer at each polling station are bound to put one copy of Form-15 in the vote bags after the vote count.
According to report submitted in the commission, PTI’s Murad Saeed won the elections from NA-29 Swat but 54.2 % Form-15 were found missing in this constituency. In NA-30 Swat Salim Rehman of PTI won the election but 55.7% polling stations were found without Form-15. Similarly in NA-5 Noswshera, 55.1 % Form-15 were found missing while in NA-16 Hangu 37.7 % Form-15 were missing. Both these constituencies were also won by PTI candidates.
Overall in 169 National Assembly constituencies from where reports have been received 14,641 of 44,339 polling stations have been found to be without Form 15. The Election Commission says reports from all national and provincial assemblies constituencies will arrive by Friday.
PTI chief Imran Khan had claimed on Wednesday thatmore than half of the Forms XV (Ballot paper account) went missing after the 2013 general elections.His lawyers are arguing that missing Form-15 is a glaring irregularity and ample proof that the elections were heavily rigged. However the data from KPK and the constituencies won by PTI goes against the party’s stance.
The commission had ordered opening of the vote bags on May 27 to obtain records regarding the use of ballot papers. The commission had directed the district judges to obtain copies of Form 15 by June 8.