PPP leaders oppose re-polling at nine stations

Islamabad: Senator Palwasha Khan and Chaudhry Yasin, leaders of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), vehemently opposed the re-polling at nine polling stations. They accused the electoral process of irregularities and demanded formal notification from the Election Commission recognizing PPP candidate Sardar Zia-ul-Qamar as the winner.

During a joint news conference, Palwasha Khan stated that Zia-ul-Qamar had secured a substantial lead, and the nine polling stations had completed their polling process successfully. She emphasized the Election Commission's legal obligation to acknowledge the votes from those stations and issue the victory notification. Khan questioned the necessity of re-polling, especially when voters had already announced a boycott before the election.

She argued that conducting re-polling under such circumstances would violate the Constitution and laws.

Khan asserted that voting or abstaining was a fundamental right of citizens. She demanded that if the Election Commission rejected their application, the party should receive a written decision. Khan clarified that while the PPP was not opposed to re-polling in principle, it should only be conducted at polling stations where genuine malpractice or irregularity was reported. She insisted that the Election Commission present any evidence of such malpractice or irregularity.

Chaudhry Yasin argued that the election was conducted in three phases, a decision the PPP opposed when the election schedule was announced. He alleged that irregularities began during the first phase of the election. Yasin also claimed that Punjab Police personnel were brought in from Faisalabad, assigned tasks by former Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, to support PML-N candidates.

He alleged that police officers were present inside polling stations while polling agents were kept outside. Yasin questioned the turnout reports, asserting it was implausible for 99 percent of votes to be cast under the given conditions. He attributed the situation to statements made by PML-N ministers. Palwasha Khan reiterated the need to accept the results from the nine polling stations where voting took place and for the Election Commission to uphold the electoral process' integrity, recognizing the votes cast at those stations and providing a legal basis for any decision on re-polling.