Senators Criticize ECP For Alleged Rigging

Opposition Senators strongly criticized the alleged rigging in the February 8 elections, expressing their dissatisfaction with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja for what they perceived as a failure to ensure transparency in the polls. Senator Mushtaq Ahmed, representing Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), went a step further by demanding CEC Raja’s resignation, accusing him of overseeing fraudulent elections that could lead to an illegitimate government. Ahmed leveled serious accusations against the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), alleging treason and urging accountability under Article 6 of the constitution.

In addition to calling for CEC Raja’s resignation, Senator Mushtaq Ahmed advocated for the return of the Rs50 billion allocated for the elections. He proposed the establishment of an autonomous judicial commission to thoroughly investigate irregularities, with a particular focus on the scrutiny of Form 45, a critical aspect of the electoral process. Ahmed also criticized the suspension of the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), asserting that it caused economic and educational damage while infringing on people’s rights. He strongly advocated for the restoration of all social media platforms without any restrictions.

Read more: SC Seeks Petitioners Argument To Nullify February 8 Elections

Irfan Siddiqui, a Senator from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), took issue with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) stance on alleged rigging, pointing out contradictions in their approach to election results. This reflects a broader contention among the political factions regarding the interpretation and acceptance of election outcomes.

Senator Waleed Iqbal, representing the PTI, expressed dissatisfaction with the role of returning officers (ROs) and called for accountability for their alleged acceptance of bribes. He questioned the rationale behind internet shutdowns during the night when polling had already concluded, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in the electoral process.

Senator Shafiq Tareen, affiliated with the Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), urged an investigation into the alleged bribery of ROs, claiming that billions of rupees were exchanged to influence election outcomes. Tareen lamented the perceived theft of the people’s mandate and criticized the manipulation of results, citing instances where withdrawn candidates were declared winners, further fueling concerns about the integrity of the electoral process.

The collective dissatisfaction expressed by opposition Senators highlights the contentious nature of the February 8 elections and underscores the need for thorough investigations and reforms to address concerns related to transparency, accountability, and the overall integrity of the electoral system in Pakistan.