Pakistan poll panel denies rigging but owns up to ‘irregularities’

The election commission said relevant forms were available for investigation. Pic/AFP

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has refuted allegations of rigging during the vote count after the February 8 general elections but acknowledged the occurrence of a ‘few irregularities', ARY News reported. According to the report, the electoral body issued a statement in which it acknowledged that it does not deny the occurrence of a few irregularities and that relevant forms were available for investigation.

Bilawal Bhutto. Pic/Twitter

"Immediate decisions are being taken on complaints filed," the poll panel added in its statement. However, the election commission said the polling was organised and held peacefully despite ‘difficulties and issues'. The ECP noted further that conducting the elections smoothly was a ‘major operation', which was completed successfully, according to the daily. On the delay in the publication of the election results, the poll panel said the suspension of mobile services on February 8 created some hindrances to the process of sending electronic data by the presiding officers (POs).

Bilawal's PPP split on joining coalition or sitting in Oppn

The Bilawal Bhutto-led Pakistan People's Party which won the third largest number of seats in the National Assembly in the elections appears to be split on whether to join a coalition government or sit on Opposition benches. The Central Executive Committee (CEC) of the PPP which met in Islamabad to deliberate on the post-poll scenario and proposals regarding the coalition government has decided to reach out to all political parties, including the PTI-backed independents, for a possible power-sharing deal.

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