ISLAMABAD: In a press statement on Thursday, the judicial inquiry commission probing alleged rigging in the 2013 general elections said that the Election Commission of Pakistan will submit its written reply within two days.
The three-judge judicial commission, formed through a presidential ordinance after long-running protests against alleged electoral rigging by the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), is tasked to complete its investigation within 45 days.
In a press release detailing progress on the inquiry, the commission said that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Balochistan National Party (BNP), Pakistan Muslim Leage-Q, the Muttahida Deeni Mahaz (MDM) and the Peoples Muslim League-Pakistan (PMLP) have so far submitted their responses to three questions posed by the commission.
“MQM, PTI, BNP, PMLP, MDM and PML(Q) have filed their replies to the questionnaire provided to all the parties on the last date. These would be considered at the appropriate state,” said the press release from the inquiry commission.
The parties were asked to respond in writing to why they thought the elections were rigged, to specify material evidence and witnesses, to ascertain if they believed the polls were “influenced pursuant to a systematic effort by design by any one” political party or individual, and who designed and implemented the plan to rig the elections.
The press release said that it was decided with consultation that political parties would be able to examine their witnesses on oath during the commission’s proceedings.
The News International Pak
