Memon accuses PML-N, federal govt and AJK EC of poll rigging

Karachi (Web Desk): Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon on Monday levelled serious allegations against the federal government, the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Election Commission and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), accusing them of acting in concert to influence the AJK Legislative Assembly elections through widespread electoral malpractice and voter manipulation.

His remarks followed the second phase of the AJK elections, conducted a day earlier in Muzaffarabad Division and on the refugee seats. Based on unofficial and unverified results, PML-N was ahead in five constituencies, while the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) secured victory in two. Earlier, the Election Commission had officially announced the results from all 13 constituencies in Mirpur Division, where PML-N emerged victorious in nine seats, leaving the remaining four for the PPP.

Speaking at a joint press conference with PPP leader Chaudhry Yasin, Memon alleged that a well-planned campaign had been carried out to ensure the defeat of PPP candidates. He said PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had repeatedly called for free and transparent elections, urging all stakeholders to protect the interests of the Kashmiri people rather than serving political agendas.

Memon claimed the AJK Election Commission had failed to perform its duties impartially and ignored repeated complaints submitted by his party throughout the polling process.

The Sindh minister said that the commission appeared to be functioning as an extension of the PML-N rather than as an independent constitutional body, adding that the AJK polls reflected the same alleged irregularities that the PPP had associated with Pakistan’s 2024 general elections.

Recalling those elections, he said the PPP had described the current federal administration as a "Form-47 government" and alleged that the AJK elections had witnessed even more serious manipulation.

Memon stressed that the PPP would present its case before the relevant legal and constitutional forums with documented evidence instead of resorting to inflammatory language.

The senior minister further alleged that polling officials and election materials reached several polling stations behind schedule, disrupting the voting process in multiple areas. He also questioned the Election Commission’s decision to postpone polling in LA-27, arguing that weather had been cited as the reason despite clear conditions.

Memon claimed that PPP worker Mukhtar Younis was killed in LA-9 Nikyal and accused PML-N leaders of subsequently attempting to portray the deceased as belonging to a different political affiliation. He also alleged that supporters of the ruling party attacked the President of AJK in LA-31, saying complaints had been submitted to the inspector general of police and the chief secretary but no action or arrests had followed. He added that the PPP workers who reached the area after receiving reports of alleged ballot-stamping came under gunfire.

The Sindh minister criticised Adviser to the Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah for allegedly trivialising the firing incident and questioned why senior federal figures were meeting administrative officials while the election process was underway.

He also claimed that ballot papers had been delivered to PML-N candidates two days before polling began, although he did not provide evidence to substantiate the allegation.

Memon said the PPP would continue participating in the remaining phase of the AJK elections while simultaneously pursuing every constitutional and legal avenue available to challenge the alleged electoral violations.

Turning to national politics, Memon said the PPP had declined to become part of what it calls the "Form-47 government" following the 2024 general elections. He further claimed that his party believed the federal government's time in office was drawing to a close.

Memon also called for fresh polling in three constituencies, alleging that one constituency had recorded an impossible voter turnout of 110 per cent.

He urged the Election Commission to investigate the matter thoroughly and take immediate notice of the alleged irregularities.

A day earlier, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had also alleged serious irregularities during the second phase of the AJK elections.

In a post on X, he said the Election Commission had ignored the party’s complaints submitted after the first phase despite what he described as admissions made by the "rigging party."

He argued that had timely action been taken, public confidence in the second phase of voting could have been restored.

Bilawal maintained that the PPP reserved the right to organise protests and demand fresh elections in constituencies where it believed the electoral process had been compromised and where the Election Commission had failed to take corrective measures.