ECP convenes emergency meeting tonight over commissioner’s allegations. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has convened an emergency meeting to address the explosive allegations of vote rigging made by Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chattha following the general elections held on February 8, 2024.
In a stunning development, Chattha tendered his resignation, admitting his direct involvement in electoral malpractice and implicating other high-ranking officials, including the ECP and the Chief Justice of Pakistan.
These allegations have reverberated throughout the nation, causing widespread consternation and effectively stalling normal operations.
Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja has promptly called for the meeting, scheduled for 10:00 PM tonight, with all ECP members expected to participate virtually.
Sources suggest that the ECP is poised to launch a comprehensive inquiry into Chattha’s claims.
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During a press conference at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Chattha divulged that he and his team manipulated the results to declare 13 candidates from Rawalpindi as winners by providing losing candidates with substantial leads of 50,000 votes.
He expressed remorse for his actions, acknowledging the injustice inflicted upon the Rawalpindi Division.
Chattha further disclosed contemplating suicide after morning prayers but ultimately chose to come forward and disclose his actions to the public before surrendering himself to the authorities.
In response to Chattha’s bombshell revelations, the ECP swiftly issued a statement refuting any involvement in directing the Rawalpindi commissioner to tamper with election results.
The statement emphasized that division commissioners do not hold roles directly associated with electoral administration, such as District Returning Officer (DRO), Returning Officer (RO), or presiding officer.
As ECP convenes emergency meeting tonight over commissioner’s allegations, the unfolding political crisis in Pakistan underscores the imperative for a transparent investigation and stringent accountability measures to rebuild public confidence in the electoral process.
