Amid reports of clashes and delays, mainstream political parties such as the PPP, Jamaat-i-Islami and PTI have urged the Election Commission of Pakistan to take notice of rigging at polling stations across the country.
In Karachi, the PPP claimed ballot papers were snatched from the electoral staff in the PS-105 constituency. The JI also alleged that MQM-P workers tried to sabotage voting at multiple polling stations. Videos circulating on social media also showed masked men entering polling stations in the metropolis.
From Balochistan, Akhtar Mengal wrote a complaint to the ECP, saying that the station house officer of Quetta had taken “900 votes”. Similarly, former lawmaker Mohsin Dawar alleged “large-scale rigging” was underway in North Waziristan’s NA-40 (Tappi).
In Punjab, PTI-backed candidate for Sialkot Rehana Dar said the returning officer had refused to give her Form 45. Former PTI leader Maleeka Bokhari claims rigging is taking place in Bahawalpur’s NA-166.
“This clear violation and rigging was reported to RO who is not taking any action against the opposing Candidate Sami Gillani,” she wrote on X. It must be noted that PTI-backed Kanwal Shauzab was contesting polls from the constituency.
