ECP completes probe into Chatha’s ‘rigging’ allegations

A high-level committee of the Election Commission of Pakistan has completed probe into allegations of the ex-Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatha in general elections 2024.

Sources said the committee’s last meeting will be held in Islamabad during which the report on the ex-commissioner’s election rigging allegations will be finalized. Later, the report will be submitted to the ECP. They added that the statements of RO and DROs of 13 National Assembly constituencies and 26 provincial assembly constituencies of Rawalpindi division will be included in the committee’s report.

Earlier, the ECP’s high-level committee had recorded statements of District Returning Officers and Returning Officers (ROs) of constituencies concerned. The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority also submitted the transcript of former Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatha’s press conference. Chatha had accused ECP and Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa of involvement in the ‘election rigging’ during the presser.

The PTI also demanded an immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja for what they call failing to hold general elections in a transparent manner.

Last week, Rawalpindi commissioner admitting rigging in the general elections has tendered his resignation.

Admitting his role in rigging, Liaquat Ali Chatta said that results of candidates having lead of 70,000 votes were changed, announcing them as losers.

I offer myself to police for my role in election rigging, he said. I even made an attempt to commit suicide this morning after prayers, he said.

The commissioner said that they rigged results of 13 candidates from Rawalpindi announcing them as winners while those in lead of votes were declared as losers.

I have done injustice in Rawalpindi division, Chatta regretted. I should be hanged at Rawalpindi Kachehri Chowk, I accept the responsibility of election rigging in Rawalpindi Division and surrender myself to the police, the commissioner continued.