Senior Pakistani diplomat resigns, claims February 8 national polls were ‘manipulated’

A senior Pakistani bureaucrat has alleged that the outcomes of the February 8 normal elections were “manipulated” beneath his watch.

(*8*) Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatha has even resigned from his place.

Speaking to reporters exterior the (*8*) Cricket Stadium, Chatha advised Dawn News, “I’m taking responsibilty for all this wrongdoing.”

He even alleged that the chief election commissioner and a prime choose of the Supreme Court were “concerned on this”.

“We made unbiased candidates — who had leads of 70,000-80,000 votes — lose by placing on faux stamps,” he mentioned.

In a handwritten letter, a replica of which is offered with Dawn.com, he mentioned he was resigning from his “submit and repair” as he was “deeply concerned in critical crime like mega election rigging 2024”.

The letter was addressed to Punjab Governor Haji Ghulam Ali, interim provincial chief minister Mohsin Naqvi and the provincial chief secretary.

Poll physique responds

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), nonetheless, rejected his claims.

In a press launch, the electoral watchdog mentioned none of its officers ever issued any directions to Chatha for a “change within the election outcomes”, reported Dawn News.

“Neither is the commissioner of any division ever appointed as a district returning officer, returning workplace or a presiding officer nor do they ever play a direct function within the conduct of elections,” it asserted.

“However, the election fee will conduct an inquiry into the matter as quickly as potential.”

The Punjab authorities’s spokesperson additionally denied rigging claims as made by the official.

Speaking to Geo News, caretaker Information Minister Amir Mir mentioned that that is neither a revelation nor a confession of the crime, it is a declare and an allegation to hurt the credibility of the elections.

He mentioned that he strongly rejects the allegations made by Chatha.

Pakistan polls

Pakistan voted to elect a brand new authorities on February 8.

However, the nation plunged right into a political disaster with not one of the political outfits successful the bulk wanted to type the federal government.

Political events at the moment are attempting to forge an alliance and safe 169 seats wanted to safe a majority within the 336-member decrease home of parliament.