“Rigging Was Planned In Daska By-Election” : Inquiry Report

Web Desk — “Election officials and government functionaries acted as puppets in the hands of their unlawful masters.”

These are the findings of an inquiry report into the disappearance of 20 presiding officers during the by-election of NA-75, Daska.

The inquiry report has been compiled by the Punjab Joint Election Commissioner. The report finds them responsible for not discharging their designated roles but also identifies Sialkot Colleges Deputy Director Mohammad Iqbal Kaloya for his involvement in the meetings at Assistant Commissioner Daska’s office to plan for the manipulation of the by-election.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) made this inquiry report after the rigging, violence, and disappearance of 20 presiding officers (POs) in the Daska by-poll.

According to the findings of the inquiry committee, Mr. Kaloya illegally summoned the POs and directed them to slow down the voting process and keep it below 25 percent in the Daska city areas. Kaloya was also found to have directed the POs not to interfere in what was being done by the police and district administration.

The report has also found Dr. Firdaus Ashiq Awan responsible for her direct involvement in the manipulation of the election process.

The inquiry report has recommended action against those responsible for rigging the by election.