PESHAWAR:
The Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) has called for the establishment of a judicial commission to investigate what it describes as the ‘worst rigging’ during the general elections held on February 8. The party wants the commission to identify those responsible and impose severe punishment on these ‘national criminals.’
During a meeting of the Executive Committee held on Monday in Islamabad and chaired by party chief Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao, participants expressed deep concern over the extensive rigging reported in the recent elections.
They emphasized that this electoral malpractice has not only disillusioned the entire nation, including the parliament, but has also dashed hopes for economic revival and political stability.
The committee squarely blamed the Chief Election Commissioner and provincial members of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for the rigged election results.
They demanded a thorough investigation by a judicial commission to scrutinize the conduct of all returning officers and unveil the true culprits, advocating for strict punishment to be meted out.
According to the committee, these individuals are deemed as national criminals for their role in wasting national resources on a fraudulent exercise and causing irreparable damage to democracy.
They lamented ongoing attempts to undermine provincial autonomy and the 18th Constitutional Amendment, affirming the QWP’s commitment to thwart such conspiracies at every level.
The committee members said the election results indicated a concerted effort to undermine provincial autonomy and rights through a rigged parliament, effectively sidelining voices advocating for provincial rights in the legislative body.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 5th, 2024.
Source link: https://tribune.com.pk/story/2458406/qwp-seeks-judicial-scrutiny-of-election-rigging