LAHORE, June 14: The Punjab chapter of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf has found maximum rigging complaints at women’s polling stations besides lack of cooperation from the administration, polling staff and even returning officers.
The party recorded these observations in its district review meetings regarding its position in the general elections and their outcome.
The Punjab PTI’s nine-member committee led by President Ejaz Chaudhry and General Secretary Dr Yasmin Rashid had so far reviewed 14 districts in western and central Punjab. The committee reviewed Sialkot and Narowal districts on Friday. The review meetings would be completed on June 26.
Talking to Dawn, Dr Yasmin said the committee was recording complaints of party candidates regarding rigging in the elections and collecting solid proof to form a white paper, which would be presented in the National Assembly by party chief Imran Khan.
She said most candidates claimed maximum rigging complaints had been received from women’s polling stations in their respective constituencies. She added other common complaints were that PTI polling agents had been harassed and all complaints lodged with the polling staff as well as administration fell on deaf ears. She said candidates complained even returning officers ignored their complaints.
The PTI leader said the committee was also collecting proof to support the party’s claim the elections had been rigged and were “orchestrated”.
Besides, she said, the review meetings would help PTI assess its shortcomings and organise itself for local body elections as well as by-elections at provincial and National Assembly seats in Punjab.