PPP concerned over
manipulations in voters’ lists in Thar
Islamabad November 16,
2006: Pakistan Peoples Party has expressed grave concern over the serious
malpractices in the preparation of voters’ lists in Sindh particularly in Thar
and urged the CEC to look into the numerous complaints and redress the same.
In a statement today a
spokesman of the Party said that decrease in the number of voters in the fresh
count in several constituencies had raised questions of credibility.
The PPP leadership in
Sindh has complained that in Thar alone the registered votes have decreased by
68,000 votes, he said.
It is hard to avoid the
suspicion that massive pre poll rigging has already started in the constituency
of the Sindh Chief Minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim, he said.
He said that over two
months ago the Party had laid bare how a coalition partner in the provincial
government had hijacked the voters’ registration exercise in Karachi from
official enumerators that had thrown into doubt the entire electoral exercise in
Sindh.
“The entire exercise of
preparation of electoral rolls has been threatened that calls for urgent
intervention by the Chief Election Commissioner”
After the take over of
the work from the officially appointed enumerators by the workers of the
political party complaints of fake voters lists have increased, he said.
He said that under the
relevant laws governing the electoral rolls, the Election Commission was
supposed to up date the voters list every year. He said that at present two
voters’ lists were available; one was prepared in 2001 for LB elections and the
other prepared for the 2002 for General Elections.
He said that in the
presence of the two lists available and the law requiring the EC to update the
electoral lists every year, there was no justification for preparing fresh lists
for computerization. Instead of preparing fresh list the present voters’ list
should be updated and computerized.
The Party urges the CEC
to look into the massive complaints of pre-poll rigging and not allow the
hijacking of voter’s registration exercise.
10th
October 2006
To: The Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan,
Election Commission of Pakistan
Islamabad.
Subject: PREPARATION OF ELECTORAL
ROLLS.
Dear Sir,
We would like to draw the attention of the Election
Commission of Pakistan to RFR#ECP/CERS/2006 on "Computerized Electoral Rolls
System (CERS)" which includes Software Development, Data Entry, Printing and
Logistics of Electoral Rolls, Project Management, Training Implementation,
Maintenance and Support on Turn-key basis.
We are deeply concerned about the way CERS is being
developed, date-entered, managed monitored, and implemented. Technically
speaking, as we all know, no software are "guaranteed 100% hack proof', period.
At any time during the development process, or even after completion or
implementation, software developers, managers and those who have access to the
software or server from any of the entry points can embed a malicious code
through which it will be possible to change data later. Hacking can be done
through any of the modes or multiple data entry points any time (24/7/365) when
none of the political parties agents are present, to change the electoral data,
add fictitious names or delete actual names. We believe and urge that if the RFP
and the project are not rectified and revised at this stage, it will lead to
flawed software development, mismanagement of CERS, incomplete data entry,
erroneous rolls systems, and possible hacking of rolls and election results.
We therefore demand that for the impartiality of
CERS, and to minimize chances of hacking, the RFP and project must be rectified
and revised with the following implemented immediately.
There should be representation of the political
parties on the Project Steering Committee (PSC) and the Technical Review
Committee (TRC) of the ECP (sections 20.1 and 20.2) to ensure transparency of
the project.
ECP must define the certification level of the CMM
firm in the RFP to at least a level four to work as implementation partners.
There should be an independent audit of the CERS (by an independent software
audit firm) after completion and after installation of CERS.
All off-line data entry and merging centers should
allow for party8 teams to be present at the time of data entry. The central data
server should be allowed access only through a two-tier code system, one of
which must be with the ECP and the other one with the representative of the
political parties. The system must be locked after each segment of data entry.
In addition to the above, ECP is preparing afresh
data through door to door enumeration. NIC card is mandatory. Twenty million
eligible voters still do not have NICs. Their names will not appear on the
Electoral Rolls data base. There will also be more eligible voters (those who
attain the age of 18 after the registration, those who relocate after the
registration, left overs, etc). How will they be able to vote?
There appears to be a catch in the provision of
allowing old NICs for identification purposes. On the face of it, it is a
convenience given to those who have not got their computerized NICs prepared.
But what happens if 2 votes are registered instead of 1 for persons having both
the new and the old NICs. The addresses of the voters keep changing and do not
have to be the same as the one given on their NICs.
The 2 votes of a single voter can be with different
addresses, appearing in the voters list hundreds of pages apart and also voting
at 2 different polling stations or even in 2 different constituencies.
We demand that the NADRA NIC requirement condition
MUST be done away with, and any two forms of photo ID should be allowed for
registration so that the voter gets enrolled. ECP information of eligible voters
(with two forms of Ids who don't have NICs) should be automatically sent to
NADRA to issue new NICs automatically without cost.
It is a hard reality the Ruling. Party and its
allies have practically taken charge of t he registration Process and selective
entries are being recorded. Complaints from the Province of Sindh transmitted to
your good self which reveal a pathetic state of affairs have gone unnoticed.
Pre-Poll ragging to marginalize the popular political forces through such like
electoral fraud would have no parallel in history. In Punjab the Nazims are
practically charged with collecting Registration forms were entries are altered
at will and the very forms excluded and added under a calculated scheme. The
opposition Parties have been under the line of fire and the recent admission of
Gen. Pervaiz Musharraf that he created and inducted the ruling party reflects
the free hand given to District and Provincial Governments, and their employees
for the fresh preparation of Electoral Rolls. The Province of Baluchistan being
in turmoil after the killing of Nawab Akbar Bugti instability is Waziristan,
tension in rest of NWFP, Floods creating havoc in other parts of the Country,
month of Ramzan and Eid Holiday intervening the preparation of new electoral
lists would neither be possible nor practicable. In such circumstances it would
not be feasible to replace the existing Electoral Rolls and rather additions and
deletions be made to update the same so that one or the other party does not
have its way in excluding voters known to favour the other side and enter only
such voters at multiple places who atone to those at the helm, of affairs.
Compete replacement of Electoral Rolls is done during census and not otherwise.
However in case it is so required the same be carried out with consensus of
political parties and directly under supervision of the Election Commission of
Pakistan and adequate time be given to ensure that all eligible voters are
registered and none deprived of his right of franchise.
All lists should be available on the internet for
all political parties to verify, with time allowed for correction,
addition/deletions.
We look forward to a positive action taken on our
demands at the earliest.
Yours Sincerely,
(Senator Sardar Latif Khan Khosa)
Chairman Election Monitoring Cell
Pakistan Peoples Party
August 4, 2006
The Chief Election Commissioner
Election Commission of Pakistan
Islamabad
Dear Sir,
I write this on behalf of the Pakistan Peoples Party
as well as the Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians.
The holding of free and fair elections is the
essence of democracy and good governance, and the most sacred duty stands
enjoined by the Constitution upon the Election Commission of Pakistan headed by
your goodself. Despite massive rigging of the polls including pre-poll rigging
of the electoral process, PPP obtained the highest number of votes in the
General Elections of October 2002. Notwithstanding the mandate of the people, it
was deprived of the right of governance by the General in power, who through his
ISI, Rangers and NAB procured turncoats and accumulated a coalition opposed to
the two major Parties of the country and formed governments at the Centre and
Provinces. Such unholy alliance has corroded all institutions, indulged in
corruption of the highest order, brought about price hike of unbearable
magnitude, lawlessness of the highest altitude procuring the stigma of a failed
State in the world rankings. Waziristan is bleeding, Balochistan is in virtual
rebellion, the Pak Army an institution of national pride is heavily deployed and
being used contrary to the national interest. Sindh is being repressively ruled
where people are subjugated to administrative tyranny and in Punjab, State
machinery is being used with shameless impunity to silence the popular will of
the people who are anxiously waiting for their leaders to rescue them from the
forces of evil who have usurped all their rights.
Sir,
Transparent elections are the best barometer to
judge the working of the incumbent government and the will of the actual
sovereign i.e. the people to determine the future right to govern them. You have
been assigned the task by act of providence, well being of the people and
stability of the country heavily depends on enforcing the right of the people to
determine the future of Pakistan.
Sir,
With such a prelude allow me to bring to your
notice, a statement of Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs appeared in
daily "The Nation" dated July 16th, 2006 (copy enclosed) that Mohtarma Benazir
Bhutto and Mian Nawaz Sharif are ineligible to contest the forthcoming
Elections.
Sir,
Determining eligibility to contest elections is the
domain of the Returning Officer which is subject to appeal under the law. Since
when have the ministers of General Pervaiz Musharraf been relegated such a
power. Even a conviction on technical ground, by the lowest NAB court in
absentia which is subjudice and otherwise illegal and unconstitutional was held
no ground for disqualification by one of your illustrious predecessors who had
ruled that unless the judicial process is completed, Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto
could not be disqualified.
Sir,
Such irresponsible and reckless statements
tantamount to demoralizing the people of Pakistan who see Mohtarma Bhutto as the
strength and symbol of Federation and saviour of their lawful, constitutional
rights. I ask the Election Commission to stop such irresponsible utterances from
being repeated by the usurpers of people’s rights by taking up the issue with
the concerned Minister namely Dr Sher Afgan Khan Niazi.
Sir,
Yet another problem is that 20 million eligible
voters are not yet registered and the Election Commission authorities are not
enlisting their votes under the Electoral Rolls Act as they do not possess
National Identity Cards. NADRA has a hazardous process and fee which is not
within the prowess of such persons who are mainly within the age of 18 to 21
years. Depriving such huge number of eligible persons from their right of
franchise would be a negation of their fundamental, Constitutional rights, thus
immediate steps are required to register and enlist them as voters, so that the
next General Elections which are not far off may be reflective of the true will
of the people of Pakistan.
Sir,
The Pakistan Peoples Party has also recorded
suggestions for ensuring fair, free and transparent elections, copy of which is
attached. I am writing to request you to implement the measures that have been
proposed by taking up the issue with the present regime as well as with the
international community which is funding elections reform. Unless this is done,
the next elections will remain a farce. I say this on the basis of past
elections. The election, so far held in General Musharraf’s tenure, referendum,
general, local bodies or by-elections, against both have been far from
satisfactory. We therefore hope and expect that exercising your constitutional
and legal authority; you will very kindly enforce the right of the people of
Pakistan and ensure the holding of fair, free and transparent elections, by
providing level playing field to all the stake holders.
Very Truly Yours,
Senator Sardar Muhammad Latif Khan Khosa
Chairman
Election Monitoring Cell, Pakistan Peoples Party
Encls:
----------------------------------------------------
“THE
NATION” dated July 16, 2006
BB, Nawaz can't contest polls: Afgan
From Abdul Ahad
ISLAMABAD – Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Sher Afgan Khan Niazi
has ruled out the possibility of Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif to take part in
the general elections 2007.
Replying
to queries of journalists at the end of USAID seminar on “Knowledge and Power”
here Saturday, the minister said both the exiled leaders have completed their
two tenures of prime ministership. They can’t contest for the third time, as the
ordinance, which later became law, bars them from doing so.
He said
both these leaders couldn’t even contest elections as Benazir Bhutto has been
declared proclaimed absconder and awarded 3-year imprisonment in absentia by the
court while several cases against Nawaz Sharif have been frozen.
He claimed that PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif has admitted a week ago that
Nawaz
Sharif
and family went to Saudi Arabia through a deal with the government. So how could
he return to the country before the end of that period, the minister asked.
Answering another question, he said elections would be held free and fair and
the process would be transparent. When his attention was invited to the
statement of Chief Election Commissioner Justice (Retd) Mohammad Farooq that
President Musharraf couldn’t take part in election campaign, the minister said
the time has not come for the elections.
He said
it’s more than a year left for holding general elections in the country. Neither
the election schedule has been announced nor the election campaign started, so
there is no question of the President taking part in election campaigns of the
ruling party.
On the issue of uniform, the minister said it is up to the President to decide
when to doff his uniform, meaning by there is no constitutional bar on him to
leave one of the two offices.
To a
question that Americans have shown reservations on a number of occasions on the
conducting of free and fair polls in Pakistan, the minister said they and all
other countries are welcome to come here and observe the polls by themselves,
whether they are rigged or held in an open and transparent manner. He made it
clear that elections would be held on time, when the assemblies would complete
their term.
PPP condemns rigging in bye-elections
Islamabad, 15 December 2005: Pakistan Peoples Party Senator Dr. Safdar Abbasi
has condemned the wide spread rigging that took place during the recent bye
elections.
He said that in this context, the example of the By-Election in NA-210,
Jacobabad III was one example. The civil administration and police used brutal
force against PPP MNA's, MPA's and workers. Ballot boxes were stuffed by police
the night before the polls.
The PPP calls upon the Chief Election Commissioner to register a criminal case
against Police involved in stuffing of the ballot boxes and send them to prison
to give a warning to other Police officials to desist from breaking the law by
stuffing ballot boxes, he said.
PPP polling agents were abducted, assaulted and arrested by Kashmore police,
criminal cases were lodged against them. Candidate Imran Bijjerani's chief
election agent, Aijaz Jakhrani, was detained at 12:00 and released after poll
hours.
Ballot stuffing took place at such extravagant levels that the ruling candidates
un-official results came to 156000 votes. Even the Election Commission found
this hard to accept and it was rejected by the Chief Election Commissioner on
press and electronic media.
Dr Safdar Abbasi said that the ballot stuffing was so great that according to it
sixty percent of the people voted when even in Karachi, a large metropolis with
easy transport, polling was was not more than 12%. Thus there was no question of
polling in Jacobabad being more than twelve percent and in all likelihood, given
the rugged terrain and difficulty of transport, even lower.
He further said that despite the massive stamping of ballots, the PPP candidate
won on 114 polling stations. The ruling candidate was wrongly shown to "win" on
17 polling stations. Winning on 114 stations was shown as 16,400 votes whereas
so called "winning" on 147 polling stations was shown as a mammoth 156000 votes.
On polling station Ali Sher Sarki 650 votes had been Precast in the night before
the polling began.
Senator Dr. Safdar Abbasi said that the PPP demands action against the presiding
officer who admitted ballot stuffing to the Assistant Returning Officer. He said
that when the Police and the Presiding Officers are the ones to fill the ballot
boxes and rig elections, then
no election can ever be fair. It therefore demanded from the Election Commission
that it order the arrest and removal from government service of the Police and
the Presiding Officers involved in rigging to prevent them breaking the law with
impunity. For example, PPP candidate visited this polling station Ali Sher Sarki
With Assistant Returning Officer
Kandhkot. Upon questioning By ARO, the presiding officer admitted that three
officials, namely Additional Secretary to Chief Minister Sindh, Ghulam Sarwar
Sarki, DSP and SHO forced him to stuff ballot box. Media persons representing
Kawish Television Network and Sindh Television were also present. The confession
of the concerned presiding Officer was
telecast on TV.
He said that every single polling station had one ballot box missing as per
material invoice. This could not happen without collusion of presiding officers.
The pattern of using Police and Presiding Officers to rig elections will be used
in the General Elections unless the Election Commission makes an example of
those Police and Presiding Officials caught rigging in the bye elections. PPP
polling agents were prevented entry to polling stations by police in a minimum
of 150 polling stations.
Senator Safdar Abbasi said that the violation of the Constitution through orders
to rig the elections amount to treason. Chief Minister Sindh visited Guddu on
08th December, 2005 and directed civil administration and police to secure
victory of the ruling party candidate by hook or crook. Based on the reports
filed during the Bye election, the PPP has called for declaring the bye election
null and void and for re-election, he concluded.
18 August 2004
Human
Rights Council of Pakistan
Report on Rigging of Bye-Elections
Tharparkar and Attock
August 2004
The government was badly involved
in rigging the by-elections and violating the electoral rules and code
of conduct for Political Parties and contesting candidates, more blatantly
and massively in Tharparkar and Attock. The voters were terrorized by
brutal murder of three PPPP youths in Fateh Jang on 16th August. Heavy
use of government resources, promises of development projects have compromised
the fairness and impartiality of by-elections and already tarnished integrity
of the Election Commission of Pakistan. The election Commission of Pakistan
had issued a notification barring the sitting ministers from contesting
the election without resigning from their offices, however the said notification
was withdrawn on 8th July, just to facilitate Mr.Shaukat Aziz to retain
his ministerial office. In the same way, the election Commission had allotted
the election symbol to the ruling party’s candidates in violation
of section 11 and 12 of Political Parties Order 2002 which bars the allotment
of election symbol to a party which has not held election within the party.
Mr.Shaukat Aziz’s election campaign had the backing of the members
of the federal and provincial executives both in Attock as well as in
Tharparkar, where the Sindh Chief Minister himself was supervising electioneering.
The Punjab House in Islamabad, according to press reports, was being used
as the campaign secretariat of Mr. Aziz. Several federal and provincial
ministers had visited the two constituencies in their official capacity
and with full protocol, which is in violation of the election code that
bars the members of executive from combining their official work with
electioneering. On 5th July, ministry of Finance had issued a letter for
making arrangements for submission of nomination papers for Mr.Shoukat
Aziz, which is in violation of the rules and clearly shows the government’s
involvement in the electoral process.
The entire district government machinery headed by District Nazim had
been running Mr.Shaukat Aziz’s election campaign and using official
human and material resources for the campaign purposes. Several election
rallies were arranged in the government school buildings. One rally was
organized in the building of Cadet College Hassan Abdal, an unprecedented
political event in the history of this prestigious educational institution.
A number of Nazims who were not polling agents of the contesting candidates
entered polling stations with the connivance of the local administration
and the police, to threaten and coerce voters to vote for the regime.
Their entry was in total violation of the Directive issued by the Election
Commission.
A number of PPPP Senators, MNA’s and MPA’s were unlawfully
detained for various periods of times at a number of polling stations.
Nawab Waseem MPA had been arrested and confined at Mirpur Khas police
station. He was polling agent of the PPPP candidate. He was released next
morning. The PPPP lady MPA from Thatta, Sassi Palijo had been arrested
and threatened of dire consequences if she continued to check the identity
cards of voters. Sassi Plaijo was stationed at Government Girls Primary
School Diplo, where she was observing gross violations of the electoral
procedure. Votes were being cast without identity cards and she was not
allowed to cross check names of voters in the electoral list.
A number of election camps of PPPP were demolished in both the constituencies
in Attock as well as in Tharparkar. Changes were made in voters lists
and additional lists were issued to the polling staff but were not provided
to PPPP candidates. Several voters having identity cards were deprived
of their right to vote as they could not find their names in the voters
lists. Many votes had been already casted before arrival of the real voters
at the polling stations. Many fictitious identity cards were prepared
and bogus votes were polled through these cards.
At polling stations established in primary school at Diplo, in Tharparkar,
some of the polling agents of PPPP candidates were harassed by the police
and some of them had been forcibly removed from the said polling stations
with a view to stuffing the ballot boxes with votes. The police stopped
some of the PPPP polling agents near Mithi Town and confiscated the voters
list and letters of authority issued to them by the PPPP candidate to
be his polling agents. The police also seized the vehicle in which they
were traveling and this was to prevent them from ensuring fair polling.
Polling agents of the PPPP had been thrown out of the polling station
No:58 Government Primary School Yousaf Somro and bogus voting took place
on monumental scale. At polling station No:131 out of 900 registered votes,
600 votes had already been polled.
At polling station Bahtar and Faqirabad in Attock constituency, PPPP workers
were threatened and harassed, while 50 were picked up. In Tharparkar constituency
S.P. Tharparkar suspended for not providing police vehicles to the ruling
party candidate for election purposes. At polling station Dodo Taj Diplo
in Tharparkar constituency, polling were started at 6:00 am, two hours
earlier than the fixed time. At polling station Chalhar in Tharparkar,
PPPP’s voters were harassed of dire consequences while at Diplo
polling station superintendent Engineer/polling officer threatened the
lady workers. A school teacher was suspended for receiving PPPP’s
candidate at his home. In Tharparkar constituency, 17 polling stations
were shifted from their original places to the villages/Goths where ruling
party had strong hold, while 16 new polling stations were created at new
places with a view to stuffing the ballot boxes with bogus votes. The
name of those polling stations were Batri, Aandio, Harpar, Tobhario, Mithoo,
Dabhari, Tando Niazi, Saimgalo, Galhoo, Rehman Abad, Sahari, Vanger, Gagan
bhoehalti, Kairaj Mithoo, Soram, Mughodani, Kararo.
Mumtaz Ahmad Tarar.
Chairman
Human Rights Council of Pakistan.
Dated: 23/08/04
Regime
trying to Rig the by-elections: PPPP
Islamabad, 17 August 2004: The Secretary General Pakistan Peoples Party
Parliamentarians, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf has informed through a letter, the
Chief Election Commissioner, Justice (r) Irshad Hussain the efforts by
the government party to rig the by-elections on August 18 in NA-59 Attock
and demanded to take actions for safeguarding the democratic process.
The text of the letter is as follows:
"It has reliably been learnt that about 20 presiding officers are
under orders from the powers that be not to take final results to the
returning officer at the conclusion of the polling on 18th August. They
have also been told not to issue certified results to the polling agents.
The ballot boxes at the end of the polling are expected to be taken to
an un-authorized destination for doctoring of the results. It is further
reported that certain polling stations have been selected wherein one
thousand votes each shall be added to the final count of the regime's
candidate, so that he can gain an over-bearing advantage. The polling
agents of the PPP shall be forcibly excluded from the result-compilation,
if they manage to stick it out during the day of polling.
"The regime and its Nazim do not hesitate from committing any offence
or corrupt practice as has been born out by their conduct during that
campaign. The blatant misuse of public funds, Govt. machinery hit the
climax on 16th when three PPP young workers were got killed at the hands
of Nazims' son and his hoodlums. The brazen way in which the Nazim and
his accomplices have gone about recklessly doing things totally in defiance
of law should be an eye-opener for all, particularly your august office.
"In the interest of democracy, which you are supposed to safeguard,
may I request you to ensure, despite your official constraints, that the
presiding officers report to the returning officer in the company of the
polling agents of both the parties immediately after the polling stops
at the end of the day. The certified results should be made over to the
polling agents of both the parties at the end of the counting by the returning
officer/polling officer to give fairness a chance. If this does not happen,
it is commonly believed in NA-59 that the regime is hell-bent on destroying
its own credibility, and the charade of democracy currently prevailing,
in the vicious pursuit of getting its nominee declared successful by hook
or crook."
Tharparker
- NA 229
Letter
from Senator Rukhsana Zuberi on the rigging of bye-elections under General
Musharaf's dictatorship in Pakistan
According to the Ms. Jehangir:
1. Mal practices as well as rigging were all too apparent.
2. The only people seen parading in the streets of Mithi were armed plainclothes
men brandishing rifles in a dead city. On enquiry we learnt they were
police constables.
3. On the way to Mithi, there were several roadblocks but we were not
searched or disturbed.... At the same time we did visit a couple of PPP
parliamentarians who had been detained at the police station of Mirpurkhas
4. The Human Rights Commission Pakistan team was told in whispers that
those who opposed the Arbabs (henchmen of Musharaf) in 2002 were still
hurting from the bruises they suffered at the hand of their henchmen.
It was reported to the team that 1,100 FIRs were filed against political
opponents.
5. The locals confirmed that every DPO, judge, school teacher and government
doctor is an Arbab loyalist. The supporters of the chief minister confirm
this with some pride.
6. Hamid Singh, son of Rana Chandar Singh, was reported on Aug 6 to have
said that anyone attending the PPP meeting would get their legs broken.
7. The Sindh chief minister reportedly magnanimously said to the press
that he had allowed his opponent to file papers for contesting against
the future prime minister whereas he had the power to get him out of the
way.
8. Other such reports were also printed by the press prior to the elections.
These reports were neither denied by the Arbabs nor were they denounced
by Mr Shaukat Aziz.
9. The PPP candidate, Dr. Mahesh Kumar, is a Hindu Brahmin, who does not
believe in the untouchability of other castes. A number of individuals
and groups of the Hindu community secretly admitted to members of the
HRCP team that given a free choice, they would naturally vote for one
of their own, rather than a candidate they had never heard of and knew
little about.
10. A large number admitted that they would rather boycott than vote against
their own member of the community. Eventually some optimists concluded
that the fact that a Hindu was able to contest these elections gave them
sufficient pride and courage. Regrettably, no Pakistani can claim the
same for the future prime minister, who stands beholden to a feudal and
the establishment of Pakistan for his victory.
11. The HRCP team calculated that despite all the machinery at work, the
turnout could not have reached beyond 40 per cent.
12. There are numerous examples of rising percentages of the turnout in
the last hour of polling. One such example was witnessed by me at a polling
station number 58 (Yousaf Somroo) where by 10:45 am polling in the women's
booth was seven per cent and had reached 23 per cent by 3.30 p.m. but
had increased to 65 per cent in half an hour when there were no women
in sight.
13. A similar pattern was seen by all five teams of the HRCP. Four teams
witnessed the polling agents of Mr Shaukat Aziz stamping ballot papers
in full view of the public.
14. In polling station 123, Dr. Tasneem Kausar, general secretary of a
human rights organization, was waving the official stamp and calling out
to women voters so that she could note down their ID card details in order
to vote for them.
15. In the same station, another polling agent of Mr. Aziz was sitting
on a chair behind the screen to help women voters stamp their ballot in
the right place. In at least six polling stations, the percentage of the
turnout of women voters was higher than of men.
16. The locations of some polling stations had been moved since the 2002
elections. They were located within arm's length of the various guest
houses of members of the ruling party.
17. There was abundant transport for the voters of Mr. Aziz while hardly
any wagons were seen with the PPP flag. It was reported that 32 cars of
the opposing candidate had been confiscated by the police. The HRCP team
photographed and saw a large number of official cars being used for Mr
Aziz's campaign.
We hope you will take note of this serious subversion of the constitutional
gaurantees of a fair election in Pakistan.
Sincerely,
Senator Rukhsana Zuberi
Member PPP Foreign Liaison Committee - Islamabad
What happened in Tharparkar?
http://www.dawn.com/2004/08/21/op.htm#4
By Asma Jahangir
There was hardly an element of surprise in the election victory of prime
minister-designate Shaukat Aziz, especially after the several reports
of pre-poll fixing. There was however some expectation of fair play on
the day of the ballot since Mr Aziz's election was a foregone conclusion
and there was no need for any fixing. Sadly, even this pretence was not
kept and mal practices as well as rigging were all too apparent.
Was this a simple case of mismanagement? Or were there some hidden expectations
which required manipulation to get the desired result? Or has rigging
become a political culture of those in power? There are apparently no
clear reasons for rigging a perfectly winnable election, but the complexity
of the Tharparkar electorate indicates that it is no safe haven particularly
as the goal was to show a landslide victory and not just a simple win
for the next prime minister.
Election-watching can be a great learning experience. Everyone has an
opinion. There is movement and people around the main cities/towns are
often seen discussing electoral prospects.
This was not the case in NA 229, Tharparkar 1. The only people seen parading
in the streets of Mithi were armed plainclothes men brandishing rifles
in a dead city. On enquiry we learnt they were police constables.
According to official sources, some 2,500 police along with Rangers were
brought to Tharparkar for security reasons. The following day a number
of them discreetly complained to the HRCP (Human Rights Commission of
Pakistan) team of the poor conditions in which they were kept.
On the face of it there were no fears of any breach of security. The official
candidate was not expected to be there and the opponents were huddled
in a corner. Nobody was whispering or willing to share any views. They
all pretended that it was just another ordinary day.
On
the way to Mithi, there were several roadblocks but we were not searched
or disturbed. Law enforcement officials remained polite and made no attempt
to stop us. At the same time we did visit a couple of PPP parliamentarians
who had been detained at the police station of Mirpurkhas on charges of
carrying their own registered weapons. One weapon was in the possession
of the driver of the MNA rather than with the MNA, thus the breach of
law.
At the same time, the police had filed no FIR till 5pm while the persons
were detained the previous evening. According to police officials, they
were waiting to hear from the "high-ups".
This appeared to be yet another unnecessary delaying tactic so that the
PPP parliamentarians could not reach their destination in time. Mr Nisar
Khuhro was also detained for a while and his official guard withdrawn.
If these measures were being taken for genuine security concerns, then
there should have been a more vigorous search of cars rather than targeted
harassment. But this was the least of the hurdles which were to follow
the next day.
The HRCP team was told in whispers that those who opposed the Arbabs in
2002 were still hurting from the bruises they suffered at the hand of
their henchmen. It was reported to the team that 1,100 FIRs were filed
against political opponents.
Some cases were still being pursued against those who had not sought forgiveness
in public. The locals confirmed that every DPO, judge, school teacher
and government doctor is an Arbab loyalist. The supporters of the chief
minister confirm this with some pride.
There is no doubt that he has a sizable following in Tharparkar, but not
everyone is there because of genuine admiration. There are those who live
on his largesse, others who fear his wrath and quite a few who are disappointed
with their own parent parties. The number of his opponents is difficult
to define, and hence steps had to be taken to ensure foolproof victory.
Prior to the elections, the chief minister and his associates had made
public statements intimidating their opponents in various ways. For example,
Hamid Singh, son of Rana Chandar Singh, was reported on Aug 6 to have
said that anyone attending the PPP meeting would get their legs broken.
The Sindh chief minister reportedly magnanimously said to the press that
he had allowed his opponent to file papers for contesting against the
future prime minister whereas he had the power to get him out of the way.
Other such reports were also printed by the press prior to the elections.
These reports were neither denied by the Arbabs nor were they denounced
by Mr Shaukat Aziz. The grounds for manipulation were prepared by publicly
appointing a prime minister who did not have the prerequisite qualifications.
It was a direct message to the vulnerable Tharparkians. In Bush style,
they were told that "you are either with us or against us".
Amongst the 251,579 registered voters in NA-229, some 48 per cent belong
to the Hindu community. They have suffered at the hands of a separate
electorate system put in place by the former military dictator for over
a decade.
Now they are being exploited under the joint electorate system in the
wake of declining party-based politics. In the rural areas of the country
the writ of the feudal runs large.
Religious minorities
are at their mercy and annoying them can result in hardships. Under the
separate electorate system, the Hindu thakur teamed up with the establishment
to secure a place in parliament, at the cost of denying his entire community
the very basic right of adult franchise.
Under the present de-politicized system, thakurs back the local strong-arm
feudal to survive. Some members of the Hindu community lamented that they
were between the devil (the local feudal) and the deep sea (the mullah,
in case they moved out of Tharparkar). They naturally prefer to stay in
their native land and suffer the patronage of the Muslim feudal at the
cost of any expression of freedom.
The PPP candidate, Dr. Mahesh Kumar, is a Hindu Brahmin, who does not
believe in the untouchability of other castes. A number of individuals
and groups of the Hindu community secretly admitted to members of the
HRCP team that given a free choice, they would naturally vote for one
of their own, rather than a candidate they had never heard of and knew
little about.
A large number admitted that they would rather boycott than vote against
their own member of the community. Eventually some optimists concluded
that the fact that a Hindu was able to contest these elections gave them
sufficient pride and courage. Regrettably, no Pakistani can claim the
same for the future prime minister, who stands beholden to a feudal and
the establishment of Pakistan for his victory.
Sindhi nationalists expressed their discomfort at being coerced into voting
for a non-Sindhi. Those that managed to slip away did not vote. The HRCP
team calculated that despite all the machinery at work, the turnout could
not have reached beyond 40 per cent.
There are numerous examples of rising percentages of the turnout in the
last hour of polling. One such example was witnessed by me at a polling
station number 58 (Yousaf
Somroo) where by 10:45 am polling in the women's booth was seven per cent
and had reached 23 per cent by 3.30 p.m. but had increased to 65 per cent
in half an hour when there were no women in sight.
A similar pattern was seen by all five teams of the HRCP. Four teams witnessed
the polling agents of Mr Shaukat Aziz stamping ballot papers in full view
of the public.
Incidentally, every polling agent of Mr. Aziz informed the HRCP team that
they represented the Arbabs, and only one polling agent mentioned that
she represented "Chaudhry Shaukat Aziz".
In polling station 123, Dr. Tasneem Kausar, general secretary of a human
rights organization, was waving the official stamp and calling out to
women voters so that she could note down their ID card details in order
to vote for them.
In the same station, another polling agent of Mr. Aziz was sitting on
a chair behind the screen to help women voters stamp their ballot in the
right place. In at least six polling stations, the percentage of the turnout
of women voters was higher than of men.
This despite the fact that only a few women were actually visible around
the polling station. A number of people were seen with multiple ID cards
in their hands while waiting for their turn to vote abundantly. There
were also reports of child voters who had also helped themselves while
the going was good.
In a number of polling stations, the PPP was not represented by a polling
agent. In other places all the agents had been recruited from outside
Tharparkar. Even the staunch supporters of the PPP admitted that they
could not risk becoming polling agents for their candidate. The majority
of the polling stations were supervised by a sidelined presiding officer
but were in full control of either the local nazim or a man of the Arbabs.
The locations of some polling stations had been moved since the 2002 elections.
They were located within arm's length of the various guest houses of members
of the ruling party.
There was abundant transport for the voters of Mr. Aziz while hardly any
wagons were seen with the PPP flag. It was reported that 32 cars of the
opposing candidate had been confiscated by the police. The HRCP team photographed
and saw a large number of official cars being used for Mr Aziz's campaign.
There are apprehensions that reprisals will take place after the elections
are over. Time and again people quietly approached members of the HRCP
to watch out for post-election repression.
Independent observers also witnessed the rigging of these "historic"
elections. Only time and a subjective
test can lay the matter to rest. The finance minister is known
for his competent innings in his present portfolio. The challenge would
be for him to re-contest elections, post-prime ministership, from his
now native constituency without the backing of a sitting chief minister.
The writer headed the HRCP team that observed the Tharparkar by election.
Government
machinery and administration are being used for regime's candidate in
Tharparkar by-elections-PPP informs CEC
Islamabad, 16 August 2004: The head of Election Cell PPPP for the by-elections
in NA-229 Tharparker, Senator Mian Raza Rabbani has informed the Chief
Election Commissioner, Justice (r) Irshad Hasan Khan about the incidents
in the constituency which amounts to pre-poll rigging and harassment of
the supporters of PPPP candidate.
In a letter addressed to the CEC, Senator Raza Rabbani wrote, "on
the 15th August 2004 a police party at Mithi in NA-29 Tharparker, was
preventing the supporters of the Party candidate from proceeding to Diplo
where a public meeting was being held. The said Police Party also confiscated
three vehicles of the supporters of PPPP. The registration numbers of
the said vehicles are; (i) MRB 5522 (ii) E 0022 and (iii) TR 0012. This
act of the Police Party was unlawful and with mala fide intent, to cause
a fear and harassment in the voters of the PPPP on the eve of polling
day. This is an act in which blatant State machinery is being used."
Regarding harassment of the PPPP supporters, he wrote, "in NA-229
Tharparkar-I, the election office of the PPPP candidate in Diplo Taluka
is at the house of one Maulvi Ghani Pasao. On the 15th August 2004 at
or about 5:00 PM supporters of the candidate Shaukat Aziz being lead by
Iqbal Sari Memon, Ali Mohd Junejo and Aziz Junejo all Government servants,
in grade-17 or above, attacked the said office and opened fire. This was
done with the purpose of creating a scare in Diplo which was the site
of a public meeting of the Party on the instant date. Till
date no FIR has been registered by the police. This is yet another attempt
on the part of the PML to create a situation of panic in the area on the
eve of polling day and the entire administration is supporting them".
In a separate letter attached with a news report in English daily Star,
he wrote, "The Star' dated 16th August 2004, the said news item is
self explanatory. It shows the manner in which Government servants are
being forced to vote for, work and provide transport for the voters of
Mr. Shaukat Aziz. The news item also states very clearly that the said
Government servants as per past tradition have been supporters of the
PPPP but are now under pressure of the Provincial Government to vote for
its candidate."
He said that all these activities by the government party and the administration
are blatant use of state apparatus and misuse of government machinery
in support of the government's candidate denying citizens their right
to vote for the candidate of their choice.
PAKISTAN PEOPLES PARTY PARLIAMENTARIAN
(ELECTION CELL)
CEC.PPPP.No.19
The
Chief Election Commissioner,
Election
Commission of Pakistan,
Islamabad.
SUBJECT:
Complaints.
Sir,
It
is being brought on the record that till date the Election Cell, PPPP
has addressed 18 letters to the Commission on the pre poll rigging taking
place in NA 229 Tharparkar, for and on behalf of the Party candidate.
The Commission has not responded to the same.
Through
the press it has come to our knowledge that perhaps the said letters have
been referred to the Government of Sindh. If this be correct then it is
indeed strange that the one being complained against is being referred
the complaint. The Commission should carry out its own independent inquiry
into the matter.
Please
take note.
Thanking
you,
Yours
truly,
Lal
Bux Bhutto,
Election
Cell, PPPP.
PAKISTAN
PEOPLES PARTY PARLIAMENTARIAN
(ELECTION CELL)
CEC.PPPP.No.18
The
Chief Election Commissioner,
Election
Commission of Pakistan,
Islamabad.
SUBJECT:
Furtherance to our letter No. CEC. PPPP. No. 13 dated 9th August
2004.
Sir,
In the above said letter it was pointed that in NA 229 Tharparkar
47 Polling Stations have been declared as sensitive. In the national press
it is reported that the Government of Sindh has informed the Election
Commission of the same.
It is reiterated that a list of the said Polling Stations be provided
to the contesting candidate of the PPPP.
Thank you,
Yours
truly,
Lal
Bux Bhutto, Election
Cell, PPPP.
PAKISTAN
PEOPLES PARTY PARLIAMENTARIAN
(ELECTION CELL)
CEC.PPPP.No.16.
The
Chief Election Commissioner,
Election
Commission of Pakistan,
Islamabad.
SUBJECT:
Change in Polling Stations – Shifting of PPPP votes.
Sir,
It
is brought to your notice that the following 17 Polling Stations have
been changed in NA 229 Tharparkar, without notice to the candidate of
the PPPP. It pointed out that the PPPP in the last general elections by
and large won at the said Polling Stations. There is reason assigned to
this decision of the Commission. The Polling Stations are as under;
1. From Bitri
to Phul ji wand, UC Jurio.
2. From Amrio
to Gogasar Juneja, UC Jurio.
3. From Harpar
to Bakhu, UC Jurio.
4. From Tobhario
to Aaho,Jurio.
5. From Khoruro
to Sajai, UC Sobhiar.
6. From Mitho
Dabro to Kharo Dabro, UC Dabro.
7. From Rehman
Abad to Amin Mohd. Dal, UC Bhitaro.
8. From Tando
Niazi to Gorwari, UC Bolari.
9. From Singalo
to Dhakan, UC Bolari.
10. From Galhano to Jediwoo, UC Dabro.
11. From Mehari to Doonjh, UC Manjhti.
12. From Wangar to Allahyar Kapri, UC Manjhti.
13. From Gagan to Ali Mohd. Lunjo.
UC Manjhti.
14. Bhoja Lakhi to Bachal Otho, UC
Morano.
15. Akheraj Mao to Sakirio Bajeer,
UC Mithrio Bhatti.
16. Sooram to Allah Bachayo Kumbhar,
UC Chelhar.
17. Maghno Dhani to Janab Ali Shah.
The villages where the PPPP voters are in a majority have been shifted
to sparsely populated areas and are at a distance of 10 to 20 kilometers.
This
is for your information and necessary action.
Thanking
you,
Yours
truly,
Senator
Mian Raza Rabbani, Election
Cell, PPPP.
PAKISTAN
PEOPLES PARTY PARLIAMENTARIAN
(ELECTION CELL)
CEC.PPPP.No.15.
The
Chief Election Commissioner,
Election
Commission of Pakistan,
Islamabad.
SUBJECT:
List of polling staff not being supplied.
Sir,
It
is brought to your notice that in NA 229 Tharparkar the candidate of the
PPPP is not being supplied a list of the polling staff, this is putting
him at a disadvantage.
This
is for your information and necessary action.
Thanking
you,
Yours
truly,
Lal
Bux Bhutto, Election
Cell, PPPP.
PAKISTAN
PEOPLES PARTY PARLIAMENTARIAN
(ELECTION CELL)
CEC.PPPP.No.14.
The
Chief Election Commissioner,
Election
Commission of Pakistan,
Islamabad.
SUBJECT:
Pre poll rigging.
Sir,
It
is brought to your notice that in NA 229 Tharparkar, one Allano Bajer
who retired from the service of the Sindh Government as DDO Elementary
Education is using his old office and is instrumental in the appointment
of the polling staff from the Education Department.
This
is for your information and necessary action.
Thanking
you,
Yours
truly,
Lal
Bux Bhutto, Election
Cell, PPPP.
PAKISTAN
PEOPLES PARTY PARLIAMENTARIAN
(ELECTION CELL)
CEC.PPPP.No.13.
The
Chief Election Commissioner,
Election
Commission of Pakistan,
Islamabad.
Sir,
It
has been reported in a section of the national press that 47 polling stations
in NA 229 {Tharparkar – 1) have been declared as sensitive. It will be
appreciated if the criteria for such a declaration is explained and further
a list of the said polling stations is provided immediately.
Thanking
you,
Yours
truly,
Senator
Mian Raza Rabbani, Election
Cell, PPPP.
PAKISTAN
PEOPLES PARTY PARLIAMENTARIAN
(ELECTION CELL)
CEC.PPPP.No.11.
The
Chief Election Commissioner,
Election
Commission of Pakistan,
Islamabad.
SUBJECT:
Use of official position.
Sir,
It was reported in the daily ‘Jang” dated 6th August
2004, that one of the contesting candidates belonging to the PPP – SB,
in NA 229 Tharparkar has withdrawn in favour of Mr. Shaukat Aziz, the
said press release was issued from the Chief Minister’s House. It is reported
in the daily “Jang” dated 7th August 2002 that the Office bearer
of the PPP – SB has addressed a press conference in which he has alleged
that the said withdrawal has been obtained under pressure. The purpose
to bring this to your notice is the atmosphere of State oppression that
has been created in the said constituency.
The State apparatus is being used to bring under pressure the candidates
and the supporters of those who oppose Mr. Shaukat Aziz.
This is for your information.
Thanking
you,
Yours
truly,
Senator
Mian Raza Rabbani, Election
Cell, PPPP.
PAKISTAN
PEOPLES PARTY PARLIAMENTARIAN
(ELECTION CELL)
CEC.PPPP.No.10.
The
Chief Election Commissioner,
Election
Commission of Pakistan,
Islamabad.
SUBJECT:
Coverage by State media.
Sir,
It is brought within your notice that a big public meeting was
held on the 5th August 2004 in Mithi, NA 229 Tharparkar. The
said meeting was addressed by the national leadership of the ARD, MMA
and the PPPP but the state owned media did not cover the same.
Mr. Shaukat Aziz has stopped his personal appearances in both the
constituencies, for reasons better known to him but in his official capacity
he is projected in every news programme of the State media. This is an
unfair advantage to him and mis use of his official position.
This is being brought to your notice.
Thanking
you,
Yours
truly,
Senator
Mian Raza Rabbani, Election
Cell, PPPP.
PAKISTAN
PEOPLES PARTY PARLIAMENTARIAN
(ELECTION CELL)
CEC.PPPP.No.8.
The
Chief Election Commissioner,
Election
Commission of Pakistan,
Islamabad.
SUBJECT:
Political victimization.
Sir,
This is to bring to your notice that on the 3rd August
2004, the contesting candidate of the PPPP in NA 229 Tharparkar addressed
a corner meeting in Sobara Goth. As the participants were going back to
their houses one such group of about fifty people were attacked by the
supporters of Mr. Shaukat Aziz they not only beat up these people but
also damaged their van. No report could be registered.
This is for your information.
Thanking
you,
Yours
truly,
Mr.
Lal Bux Bhutto, Election
Cell, PPPP.
PAKISTAN
PEOPLES PARTY PARLIAMENTARIAN
(ELECTION CELL)
CEC.PPPP.No.7
The
Chief Election Commissioner,
Election
Commission of Pakistan,
Islamabad.
SUBJECT:
Political victimization.
Sir,
It is brought to your notice that on the 3rd August
7, 2004 the contesting candidate of the PPPP in NA 229 Tharparkar visited
Koral Goth. In the course of his campaign he visited the house of one
master Thano a teacher, the next day the said was placed under suspension
by the Sindh Government.
This act of the Government shows the manner in which the residents
of the area are being brought under pressure and the use of machinery
of the State.
Please take note.
Thanking
you,
Yours
truly,
Ms
Fauzia Wahab MNA, Election
Cell, PPPP.
PAKISTAN
PEOPLES PARTY PARLIAMENTARIAN
(ELECTION CELL)
CEC.PPPP.No.6
The
Chief Election Commissioner,
Election
Commission of Pakistan,
Islamabad.
SUBJECT:
Political victimization.
Sir,
That on or about the 3rd August 2004 the Rangers along
with the local administration trespassed on the lands of Nawab Yousaf
Talpur MNA, presently engaged in the election campaign of the candidate
of the PPPP in NA 229 Tharparkar and with the use of force closed the
water channels that are irrigating his lands. An FIR has also been registered.
This is in continuation of the policy of the Government to use the State
apparatus to bring pressure on those involved in the bye – elections.
This letter may be read in extenso to our letter No. CEC. PPPP.
No. 3.
This is for your notice and appropriate action.
Thanking
You,
Yours
truly,
Senator
Mian Raza Rabbani, Election
Cell, PPPP.
PAKISTAN
PEOPLES PARTY PARLIAMENTARIAN
(ELECTION CELL)
CEC.PPPP.No.5
The
Chief Election Commissioner,
Election
Commission of Pakistan,
Islamabad.
SUBJECT:
Undue State patronage.
Sir,
I bring to your notice a news item appearing in the national press
of the 1st August 2004 (attached and marked Annex. “A”) wherein the Chief
Minister of Sindh is reported to have tried to induce the voters in NA
229 Tharparkar – 1, by talking about a hypothetical situation that should
there be famine in the area wheat will be supplied at half the price.
The PPPP is not against the poor getting relief but the crude manner
in which State patronage is being used is for the Election Commission
to take note.
Such actions purported to be taken in the official capacity vindicate
the position of the Opposition that the deletion of Article 9 of the Political
Parties Order 2004 was done with mala fide intent.
Thanking
You,
Yours
truly,
Senator
Rukhsana Zuberi, Election
Cell, PPPP.
PAKISTAN
PEOPLES PARTY PARLIAMENTARIAN
(ELECTION CELL)
CEC.PPPP.No.4
The
Chief Election Commissioner,
Election
Commission of Pakistan,
Islamabad.
SUBJECT:
Violation of The Representation of the People Act, 1976.
Sir,
The attention of the Election Commission is drawn to the repeated
statements of the Chief Minister of Sindh to the effect that he will not
allow alleged outsiders to enter NA 229 Tharparkar. The said statement
assumes importance because he is the Executive Head of the Provincial
Government of Sindh with the entire administration, Police and Rangers
at his disposal.
The translation of this threat to reality by the Government of
Sindh shall constitute undue interference in the campaign of the contesting
candidate of the PPPP by the Provincial Government further it has the
potential of creating a law and order situation which will go to the advantage
of the PML candidate.
This statement and any subsequent step to implement will be in
violation of sections 22 and 23 of The Representation of the People Act,
1976. Sub section (1) of section 22 of the said Act which deals with Election
Agent states, “A candidate may appoint a person qualified to be elected
as a member to be his election agent,” which in case of the National Assembly
means a person of twenty – five years of age enrolled as a voter in any
electoral roll in Pakistan. Section 23 of the said Act deals with Polling
Agent, it also places not restrictions on the appointment of the same.
This is for the information and necessary action by the Election
Commission.
Thanking
you,
Yours
truly,
Senator
Mian Raza Rabbani,
Election
Cell, PPPP
PAKISTAN
PEOPLES PARTY PARLIAMENTARIAN
(ELECTION CELL)
CEC.PPPP.No.3
The
Chief Election Commissioner,
Election
Commission of Pakistan,
Islamabad.
SUBJECT:
Political victimization.
Sir,
The following incident of harassment by the Government in the bye-elections
in NA 229 Tharparkar – 1 is brought to your notice;
That
Pir Aftab Jilani MNA, Nawab Yousaf Talpur MNA and Mir Hayat Talpur all
working in the election campaign of the contesting candidate of the PPPP
namely, Dr. Mahesh Kumar Malani are being subjected to pressure and harassment
by the Government as the water channels that irrigate their lands have
been closed.
This is for the Election Commission to take note.
Thanking
you,
Yours
truly,
Senator
Rukhsana Zuberi, Election
Cell, PPPP.
PAKISTAN
PEOPLES PARTY PARLIAMENTARIAN
(ELECTION CELL)
