ECP rejects Pindi commissioner’s allegations, order inquiry

The Election Commission of Pakistan has strongly denied the allegations of rigging in the election by Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatta.

Responding to the press conference of the Commissioner Rawalpindi Division, the spokesperson for Election Commission denied all the allegations and said that the Chief Election Commissioner or any official of Election Commission never issued any instructions to the Commissioner Rawalpindi to change the election results.

The spokesperson further said that the commissioner of any division is not a DRO, RO or presiding officer, nor does the commissioner has any direct role in the conduct of the election.

It should be remembered that earlier Commissioner Rawalpindi Liaquat Ali Chatta, during a press conference held at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium regarding the preparations for the PSL, had resignation accusing of serious irregularities in the general elections.

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.

He urged that the Chief Election Commissioner and others should also be punished.

Chatta also apologised to the Returning Officers worked under him during the elections. I made them to commit rigging. They cried while following my instructions, the Pindi commissioner said.