ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday submitted its reply to the General Election Inquiry Commission (GEIC) and denied Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q) allegations regarding alleged systematic rigging in the last general elections.
The ECP rejected the PML-Q allegations that the elections were rigged with the help of lower judiciary and Returning Officers (ROs). The ECP in its response stated that the change of ROs did not prove systematic rigging in the 2013 general elections.
The ECP stated that the rigging could only be proved with evidences and rigging cannot be proved by allegations. The PML-Q alleged that ROs did not allow candidates and their polling agents to sit in counting of votes.
The GEIC in its public hearing on Thursday directed all the political parties to to submit any additional documents and other material regarding alleged rigging in the last general elections till noon on Saturday, April 25.
The political parties were also directed by the commission to assist in the inquiry to formulate methods for further proceedings.
The commission also directed parties to assist the inquiry in formulating modalities for further proceedings. The commission will hold its next meeting on Monday.
The GEIC in a statement issued on Thursday also asked those political parties who want to submit names to record their statements as witnesses to do so till Saturday by 12:00 pm.
On the request of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Jamaat-e- Islami (JI) the commission issued notices to Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz and Muttahida Qaumi Movement and asked both the parties to file their responses, if they so desire, by 25.04.2015 noon.