The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), led by former Prime Minister Imran Khan, has alleged rampant rigging in the recent by-elections, accusing the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) of manipulating the electoral process. The PTI has announced nationwide protests starting Friday to denounce the alleged irregularities. The by-elections, held under strict security measures, including the suspension of cellular and internet services in certain districts, saw the PML-N emerge victorious in at least two national and 10 provincial assembly seats. PTI leaders have condemned the elections as a “black day” in Pakistan’s history, asserting that the magnitude of rigging and law violations witnessed on April 21st was unprecedented. They have accused the PML-N of orchestrating a systematic effort to steal the mandate, including stuffing ballot boxes and coercing voters and officials in the presence of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) representatives. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan alleged that such blatant rigging was unheard of even during the darkest days of dictatorship. The party urged the ECP to withhold the notification of results and announced plans for protests starting Friday. Gohar Khan and PTI leader Omar Ayub claimed to have witnessed firsthand evidence of rigging at various polling stations. They alleged that intelligence agencies, under the directives of Prime Minister Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, prevented voters from entering polling stations. Ayub denounced the by-elections as a complete farce and accused Sharif of securing fewer votes than the PML-N candidate in the general elections. The PTI has outlined a series of protests, including a public meeting in Karachi on May 5th, to voice their concerns and demand accountability for the alleged rigging. They have also raised doubts about the credibility of the ECP and questioned why returning officers from the judiciary were not involved in the electoral process.
PTI Accuses PML-N of Rigging By-Elections, Announces Nationwide Protests
