PPP criticises GB CEC

Islamabad: The Incharge of Central Election Cell of Pakistan Peoples Parry Taj Haider Tuesday said the Chief Election Commissioner Gilgit Baltistan instead of taking action against the Law breakers belonging to the Federal Government is asking the opposition to provide proofs against the Law breakers.

This attitude is enough proof of the partial conduct of the CEC himself. “Shall we give proof of the open and blatant violation of electoral law by Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs for running full-fledged campaign for his Party and making promises of development works to the electorate? Shall we give proof of his making appointments of a candidate as his advisor a week ahead of the polling day? Shall we give proof of the Prime Minister standing in Gilgit on a national day and attacking the opposition in a political speech in which he also made a promise of granting provincial status to Gilgit Baltistan? Shall we give proofs of many ministers and advisors addressing public meetings even after the time for campaigning had ended? Shall we give proofs of disappearance of ballot boxes and replacing genuine forms 45 with fake forms 45? Such open crimes are punished with disqualification of Law breaker, under the Law,” he said.

Taj Haider said that had any action been taken by the Chief Election Commissioner on our complaints of blatant pre-poll rigging, the polling day rigging and the post poling rigging would have not taken place.

The gross lapses on the part of the CEC have resulted in the open theft of the mandate of the people. One should not ignore that the people of Gilgit Baltistan have been waiting for a fair deal for the last 70 years. It was their forefathers who won their independence through armed struggle. One can rest assured that the peaceful struggle of the people of the area will ultimately result in the restoration of their mandate.