Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz has lashed out at Prime Minister Imran Khan after the latter said he would ask the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidate in Daska by-polls to demand re-polling in 20 polling stations of the constituency amid rigging allegations.
On Friday, at least two people were shot dead as a result of firing at the polling place. Both the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had alleged irregularities during the by-election on the National Assembly seat in Daska. Subsequently, the ECP withheld the results, saying it suspected irregularities in 20 polling stations.
The commission had said results of the NA-75 constituency were received with “unnecessary delay”, adding that it tried to contact the presiding officers several times but with no success.
In the backdrop of these allegations, the PM, in a series of tweet on Monday night, reaffirmed his pledge to hold transparent elections in Pakistan. “Have always struggled for fair & free elections. So even though there is no legal compulsion to do so before ECP announces results, I would request our PTI candidate to ask for re-polling in the 20 polling stations Opposition is crying hoarse over in the Daska NA 75 by- election,” Imran had tweeted.
“It is because we want transparency that we are seeking open ballot for Senate elections,” said Imran in reference to the upcoming elections in Senate that have become controversial after the government promulgated an ordinance to end secret ballot amid protests by the opposition.
But the PML-N VP who had alleged irregularities in the by-election took exception to the remarks made by the PM. She said that the premier was trying to hide rigging by making such claims.
“Don’t try to be a know-it-all. You tried to manipulate elections using the full force of the state machinery, but when you lost the by-election you abducted the staffer of the Election Commission. Your decision to support re-polling is an attempt to hide your crime [of rigging], but you have been caught red-handed. Vote thief,” she wrote on her Twitter handle.
