PPP alleges rigging as Bilawal loses to Tarar in Lahore. Senior leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Sherry Rehman, has raised concerns over alleged electoral manipulation in Lahore’s NA-127 constituency, where PPP’s Bilawal Bhutto Zardari faced defeat against Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) Attaullah Tarar.
Unofficial results indicate that Tarar secured 98,210 votes, while Bilawal trailed in third place with 15,005 votes.
Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, Rehman asserted that the sudden change in results, despite Bilawal’s lead during the polls, raised suspicions of electoral rigging. She criticized the delayed announcement of results, suggesting it was a deliberate tactic to alter the outcome.
PPP alleges rigging as Bilawal loses to Tarar in Lahore, watch the video:
Why should we have had to keep demanding a reason for extreme delay in results and Form 45 in NA127 at the RO office in Lahore. No credible answers and no change in speed despite @ECP_Pakistan orders. @PPP_Org pic.twitter.com/1l5XOv1z5j
— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) February 9, 2024
Rehman also expressed dismay over the suspension of mobile and internet services on polling day, highlighting the difficulties faced by voters and candidates alike. She implied that the shutdown of communication services could have been motivated by ulterior motives.
These allegations come amidst broader doubts regarding the transparency of the electoral process, with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) also questioning its fairness.
Unofficial results indicate that independent candidates backed by PTI are currently leading, with PML-N and PPP candidates following closely behind.
The 2024 elections have seen significant setbacks for several prominent politicians, including PML-N’s Nawaz Sharif, who lost in the Mansehra constituency to a PTI-backed candidate. However, Sharif emerged victorious against PTI’s Yasmin Rashid in the Lahore NA constituency.
Earlier, PML-N leader Ishaq Dar claimed that independent candidates winning in the 2024 elections have been in contact with the party and are expected to join a political faction within the next 72 hours, in accordance with the Constitution.
