JC Rejects PTI’s Rigging Allegations In 2013 Elections

The judicial commission was formed on PTI’s request to probe rigging allegations during the 2013 polls.

Prime Minister Sharif noted that since the inquiry commission had confirmed the transparency of the 2013 polls, “the door of allegations and accusations should be closed forever”, reported the Dawn.

The three-member commission, headed led Chief Justice of Pakistan Nasirul Mulk, and comprising and Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan and Justice Amir Hani Muslim on Wednesday sent a 300-page report to Ministry of Law which was later forwarded to Prime Minister House for approval to make it public.

It is pertinent to mention here that Imran Khan had called Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry as mastermind of riggings in May 2013 election. The Commission report said there were irregularities to the extent of the Election Commission but “they did not constitute a reflection of a deviation from the public mandate”.

According to the 237-page document released by the Judicial Commission, the General Elections 2013 took place in accordance with the law and the loss of form 15 papers did not have an effect on the result of the election.

It was clearly stated in the report that none of the allegations leveled by PTI or other parties against any institution or an individual were proved, despite the proofs of rigging provided by PTI. The issue of printing of excess ballot papers and missing Form XV’s in the polling bags, contrary to the suggestion given by the PTI; this could hardly indicate any design or plan to manipulate the elections. Rather the allegations were not seriously pursued in either written or oral submissions made at the conclusion of the proceedings by the parties, the report added.