THUMB IMPRESSION VERIFICATIONS

The National Database & Registration Authority (Nadra) will charge a service fee of Rs10 for verification of every thumb impression on the ballot paper from the candidate on whose demand this process will be ordered “… The government has sanctioned Rs90 million to upgrade the software to verify thumb impressions in bulk…” The News while the caretaker Prime Minister Justice (retd) Mir Hazar Khan Khoso has approved an amount of Rs90 million for the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) for the purchase of software and hardware for verification of thumb impressions “.. The prime minister has further directed Nadra to ensure its procurement and operational the facility within the next ten days ..” The News but this decision of ECP has been criticized by leaders of PTI “… Reiterating its demand for a recount in 25 National Assembly constituencies, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) on Tuesday criticised the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for charging a fee for carrying out verification of thumb impressions of voters…” Dawn, Daily Times.

POLL RIGGING

A day after President Asif Ali Zardari’s claim about a conspiracy hatched by foreign and local forces to defeat Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) in the recently held general elections, the Awami National Party (ANP) provincial president Senator Afrasyab Khattak on Tuesday also said that some foreign elements were involved in “snatching the party’s mandate” in the recent polls The News, The Frontier Post but the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Jehangir Khan Tareen on Tuesday alleged irregularities in May 11 polls and claimed out of 220, the seals of 170 polling bags were broken while counter foils of some 26,500 ballot papers were without the signatures and seals of presiding officers while referring to what happened in NA-154, Lodhran “… He held returning officers responsible for rigging and misappropriations in the general elections and reiterated PTI’s demand for recount on the basis of thumb impression’s …” The News, Dawn, Dawn. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Tuesday staged a sit-in here in front of the Provincial Election Commission Sindh against the alleged rigging in Karachi during May 11 elections. The Frontier Post, The Express Tribune.

ELECTIONS 1970 & 2013

Arnold Zeitlin, the American journalist and an expert on Asia and Pakistan, who covered the 1970 elections, finds many similarities between 1970 and 2013 elections saying: “I’m wondering if a Punjabi-dominated centre and opposition parties ruling in the provinces will strain the bonds that unite them in one Pakistan.”
In an analysis of the election results, Zeitlin, who is well known in Pakistan and has also set up a special library in Karachi in his wife’s name, says the Pakistani voters in 2013 “have created a dynamic that may bear some comparison with 1970.” The News.

ELECTORAL VIOLENCE

Police have summoned the local leaders of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf, who had been booked for the murder of a political activist, violation of the election code of conduct and violence during election campaign, it has been learnt.
“… the city police officer (CPO) Abdul Razzaq Cheema confirmed that the police had summoned the political leaders, and notices had been sent to them…” Dawn.

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PROTESTS AGAINST ELECTIONS

President Asif Ali Zardari thinks that some `local and international forces` ensured that the PPP did not come to power again and accused them of stealing the `party`s mandate` in the general elections “… The PPP has been kept out of power by force as some local and international forces were against its coming to power again…” Dawn, The News, Daily Times. Tehreek-i-Insaf supporters and workers on Monday staged a protest demonstration against the killing of party leader Zehra Shahid Husain in Karachi “… The protesters, carrying banners and placards bearing inscriptions against the government …” Dawn. Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Sunday appealed to his party workers in Lahore to end their sit-in protests The Frontier Post.

REVERIFICATION OF VOTERS

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is ready to carry out verification of thumb impressions of voters with the help of the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) if ordered by election tribunals set up to hear complaints about rigging or irregularities in the May 11 elections Dawn, The Frontier Post, The Nation, Daily Times.

RE-POLLING

After failing to convince the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for recounting or re-polling at one National Assembly and one provincial assembly seat, the supporters of Muttahida Deeni Mahaz (MDM) blocked the Faizabad interchange for several hours on Monday, creating troubles for commuters Dawn. The Election Commission of Pakistan has finalised arrangements for holding repolling in 11 stations of two provincial assembly constituencies in Bannu district and a National Assembly constituency in tribal areas on Tuesday (May 21) Dawn, Daily Times. A former provincial minster on Monday demanded re-polling in Torghar constituency, PK-58. Nimroz Khan told a press conference that because of his efforts, people of Torghar were given basic rights and tribal area was changed into a settled district. The News. Candidates from NA-44, Bajaur Agency, not only demanded re-election but also replacement of the sitting governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to ensure free and fair elections. The News. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) central candidate Ibrar ul Haq has filed petition in Supreme Court (SC) seeking orders for revocation of election and re-election in his constituency NA-117 The Frontier Post, Daily Times. Political Agent Mutahir Zeb Khan refused to establish Poling Station in Peshawar for the re-poling of NA-46 on 25 May The Frontier Post Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf candidate Monday demanded of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to conduct re-polling in NA 41 South Waziristan Agency (SWA). The Frontier Post. Similarly Balochistan National Party (BNP-Mengal) Women Wing on Monday took out a rally and staged a protest demonstration outside the Quetta Press Club on Monday against what they alleged rigging in the May 11 polls. The Nation.

ELECTORAL VIOLENCE

Three activists of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) sustained injuries in a clash with the police during a protest demonstration here on Monday, police sources said. The PTI activists staged protest outside the court premises when the Additional District and Sessions Judge (AD&SJ) and Returning Officer (RO) of National Assembly constituency NA-9 dismissed the petition of the PTI candidate for recounting of ballots papers. The News. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed alarm over escalating confrontation and violence in Karachi and appealed to all sides to act in a rational manner and focus on resolving the litany of challenges facing the country. Dawn.

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Parrachinar, May 20: Female protest in Parrachinar against the mass rigging in May 11 general election in Kurram Agency has entered into seventh consecutive day  on Monday as the protestors stood firm on their demand of re-polling in NA-37 constituency, FRC Field Reporter learnt.

The participants of the sit-in threatened to proceed with their protest if their demand of re-polling in NA-37 was not fulfilled by the responsible authorities.

“We will proceed to Peshawar and Islamabad to further our demands if the ECP fails to listen to our voices from here”, said a female speaker while addressing the protest gathering.

“We will keep to our customs and tribal laws during the stage-in but are resolve to get our demands”, added further by the speaker.

The unique nature of protest in FATA has been launched by the tribal female  since the announcement of poll result of NA 37 constituency from where Sajid Hussain Turi, Independent, had won by securing 30524 votes.

The female protestors are of the view that the large scale rigging in May 11 elections let Air Marshal (Rtd) Sayed Qaisar Hussain down against Sajjid Husssain Turi.

The runner up, Sayed Qaisar Hussain, while giving a close contest to Sajjid Hussain, succeeded in bagging 29623 votes.

However the latter accused Sajjid Hussain of mass rigging and refused to accept the poll results. In support of the Syed Qaiser Hussain cause, the female of the agency came out in a sit-in-protest (Dharna) in Shaheed Park in Parrachinnar.

It is pertinent to mention here that the female protest is gaining momentum with each passing day and the number of female participants is increasing manifolds besides getting the attention of many media channels of the country.

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BAJAUR AGENCY, May 20: Unknown armed persons attacked a polio vaccination team in the border area of tehsil Mamond in Bajaur tribal region here on Monday morning and killed a person of Bajaur levies force, FRC Field Reporter told.

While giving details about the incident, Assistant Political Agent (APA) Bajaur Agency Sohail Ahmad Khan told FRC that polio vaccination team was administering polio vaccines in Kalan area, located around 30 Km from the agency headquarters Khar, when they met the tragic incident.

“The miscreants were hiding in the fields and attacked the health team with automatic weapons in the Kalan village of tehsil Mamond”, said APA Bajaur and added further that the attack came at moment when the team had just started vaccination drive in the area.

The deceased who was identified as Akbar Khan, personnel of Bajaur levies force who was escorting the immunization team, died on the spot. However the workers of the polio-team remained unhurt in the attack.

After the attack, the miscreants managed to escape successfully from the site of the incident.

Later on officials of Bajaur levies force and members of peace committee reached and cordoned off the area and started search operation.

However, in the late hours of Monday evening, an official of the administration confirmed to FRC that at least five suspected have been arrested during the search operation from tehsil Mamond, but refused to give any details of the person arrested.

“We have launched an investigation of the incident and so for five persons that could be involved in the attack have been arrested in the search operation,” the official added. The detained persons were shifted to Khar for further investigation.

No one, till the filing of this report, has claimed the responsibility for the attack but the administration accused militants for the shooting.

According to Dr Jehan Zeb Dawar, head of the local health department in Bajaur, 624 polio teams are taking part in the three days anti polio vaccination drive across the agency that took off from Monday where 223,570 children would be vaccinated during this campaign.

Dr Dawar elaborated that, “Female workers will not taking part in the current anti polio campaign due to the security threats”.

The local administration beefed up security of polio teams across the region following the attack. For this purpose hundreds of additional personnel of Bajaur levies force have been deployed along with the polio teams at several sensitive areas of agency.

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KHAR, May 17: Less than three percent female exercised their right of franchise in Bajaur Agency during the recent general elections 2013 that spread a wave of disappointment among the members of the election commission, an ECP official told FRC field reporter.

According to details only 2,800, out of 133,627, female voters casted their vote in the two National Assembly constituencies of Bajaur Agency. This happened despite the assurances from the contestant candidates to the Election Commission of Pakistan that they would allow the female to exercise their vote right during this election.

The data available with the ECP shows, that merely 2,785 women voted in NA-44 while 15 in NA-43.

An per the ECP official, the low turnout of women voters in Bajaur is a matter of disappointment for the commission as around 130,827 women have been deprived of their right to vote.

“We were expecting the turnout of women voters over 10 per cent as the political and religious parties candidates had promised before the polling day that they would allow the women to cast their votes on May 11”, the official said and added that the parties did not fulfill their commitment.

He said that the ECP had received reliable information that tribal elders, religious and political leaders and some of the candidates were involved in barring women from voting.

“We have brought the issue into the notice of local administration and proper investigation would be launched soon,” he said.

Mostly the female voted in Barang and Salarzai tehsils of the agency that comes in NA-44 constituency.

According to the locals the PML-N candidate Shahabuddin Khan, who won from NA-44, and Badam Zari played an important role in encouraging the area women to cast their vote.

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ELECTORAL VIOLENCE

Violence during the strike called by PML-F claimed three lives while, as many as, 10 people were injured in Khairpur on Thursday. “… The PML-F had called for a protest in the province against the alleged rigging and manipulation in the elections…” The News.

ECP OVER ALLEGATIONS

Secretary Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Ishtiak Ahmad Khan on Thursday termed the allegations of rigging in elections as baseless as international observers have declared it free, fair and transparent “… It is unfortunate that international observers and foreign countries are congratulating Pakistan for holding free, fair and transparent elections but we doubt its credibility…” The Frontier Post, and in this connection the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday said that presiding officers would be held accountable for every single ballot paper adding that the system put in place would not spare any faking
The News.

POLL RIGGING

Question of irregularities and rigging figured prominently in the meeting of the federal cabinet Thursday, the first after last week’s general elections. Prime Minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso who is a constitution wizard concluded the discussion by quoting constitutional articles and asked the federal law and justice affairs minister to look into the complaints The News, as the Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Syed Munawwar Hasan has said that  elections in most of the constituencies were engineered, and the results were already prepared “…People are on the roads in protest against poll results which are a surprise for the loser as well as the winner…”The News, The Frontier Post, Pakistan Awami Tehrik (PAT) president Dr Tahirul Qadri reiterated that elections results had vindicated his stance that no change could be made in the presence of present corrupt electoral system which only favoured the capitalists and feudal lordsThe News, Protests against widespread election rigging in Karachi continued for the fifth consecutive day across the city with the Pir Pagara-led Pakistan Muslim League-Functional also joining the foray of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Jamaat-e-Islami The News, The Frontier Post, and in move of defense, the Punjab Teachers Union come up with a protest in front of Punjab Assembly chambers and rejected the allegations of riggings on May 11 elections and the charges of teachers involvement in the process. They denounced such charges being leveled by PTI candidate during a private television show The Express Tribune, ANP chief Asfandyar Wali Khan has credited the Taliban for successfully engineering the rout of his party in recent elections “…We accept the results, despite reservations, and our party would sit on the opposition benches in the National Assembly and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa …” Dawn.

NADRA EXCUSE OVER VOTERS VERIFICATION

Amid demands from certain political parties to verify the thumb impressions of voters on ballot papers to prove rigging allegations, higher authorities in the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) on Thursday conceded that the authority at the moment had no capacity to verify the thumb impressions of voters in large number The Nation.

 ‘COAS’ ASSURANCE OF SUPPORT TO CEC

Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani has said that army would continue to support and provide help to the Election Commission in its endeavoring to hold re-polls in several constituencies “… Chief Election Commissioner thanked the Army Chief for provision of security during the election process…” The Frontier Post, The Express Tribune, The Nation, for the security provisions in Khyber Agency the Political Agent (PA) of Khyber Agency Mutahir Zeb has informed, in written, the Election Commission of Pakistan of corrections in voter list and deployment of Army for the reelection at NA-46 The Frontier Post.

INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS OVER POLL RIGGING

The international observers has placed their confidence in the recently held elections in the country and termed it free and free with few exceptions notwithstanding the allegations being leveled by the contesters. “…The delegation overall termed the elections as fair and peaceful…” The Frontier Post.

LOW TURN OUT OF FEMALE IN BAJAUR

“…the turnout of women voters in NA -43 and NA-44 remained less than three per cent, which was a matter of disappointment …” Only 2,800 women voters were able to cast their vote in the two National Assembly constituencies of Bajaur Agency in May 11 general election despite assurance of the candidates to the Election Commission of Pakistan that they would allow the women to exercise their vote right. Dawn.

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KHAR, May 16: The political administration of Bajaur Agency has imposed a ban on public rallies and gatherings in Bajaur tribal area in order to keep peace and normalcy of the region intact and to thwart any unpleasant incident in the agency, FRC learnt.

An official of the local administration while talking to media said that the ban has been put into place with effect from May 14 and will continue for an indefinite period of time.

“The purpose of the ban is to ensure peace and normalcy of the area and to prevent any possible unpleasant incident in the ongoing protest demonstrations launched by the workers of various political and religious parties against the results of the recent general election against the two national assembly seats from Bajaur Agency”, the official told.

He further said that the administration has issued orders to the law enforcement agencies and senior officials of Bajaur levies force for its immediate implementation.

The official added that, “all type of rallies of political nature, holding a protest demonstration and display of weapons will be prohibited across the agency.The administration not only issued written instructions to all the political and religious parties but also the announcements were broadcasted through local FM Radio channels,” the official added.

He urged the leaders and workers of political and religious parties and the losing candidates to observe the ban on public gatherings, rallies and protest demonstrations. The official warned of taking strict action against those who are found for violating the order.

After the general elections in the agency, the workers of various political and religious parties and supporters of several losing candidates have launched protest demonstration and public rallies across the agency against the alleged massive riggings in the National Assembly constituencies from Bajaur Agency.

They also accused the local administration and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Eng Shaukatullah Khan for supporting and favoring of the wining candidates in both the local National assembly seats of NA 43 and NA- 44.

Meanwhile the leaders and workers of various political and religious parties and losing candidates have strongly rejected the decision of ban over the public meeting and rallies in the agency and saying that they will continue to organizing protest demonstration against the rigging of election outcome for both the National assembly constituencies in Bajaur agency.

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ELECTORAL VIOLENCE

Two persons were killed and two others sustained injuries when activists of the Awami National Party (ANP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) traded fire “… The sources said that armed activists of the two parties traded fire after an exchange of harsh words …” The News.

ELECTION RIGGING

Several political parties have decided to observe Black Day on Friday to protest against massive rigging in Elections 2013. Sit-in at Mazar-e-Quaid will also be part of the protest on that day The Frontier Post and the ongoing sit-ins and protests of the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) against alleged rigging in general elections in Lahore and Karachi entered the fourth day on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the MQM and JI also continued their protests against alleged rigging in Karachi The News, The Frontier Post, The Nation, Dawn in a rare move the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has said that he has political differences with Nawaz Sharif. He demanded of the Election Commission of Pakistan recounting of votes and verification of thumb impressions in 25 National Assembly constituencies of the country. “.. if the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) failed to remove doubts from the minds of the people, it would lose confidence of voters who came out in large numbers on the polling day for casting their votes…” The News, The Express Tribune, The Nation MQM Chief Altaf Hussain has said that the Election Commission should conduct re-polling in the entire constituency of NA 250 and both the provincial seats of PS 112, 113 under the supervision of the armed forces The News The demand to conduct re-polling also continued in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and tribal areas against the alleged rigging The News and the PPP, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter, threatened to launch protest movement if the Election Commission of Pakistan did not announce re-polling The News, Dawn.

KP GOVERNOR HOUSE SEIGE THREATENED

Candidates for NA-36 constituency in Mohmand Agency, FATA, has refused to accept the poll results and threatened to besiege Governor House if Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) did not announce to hold re-polling in the constituency The Frontier Post, Dawn in a similar bid another candidate of PML-N from FATA, NA-40 North Waziristan Agency, has demanded re-polling in the presence of Army “… polling was not held in a free, fair and transparent manner…” and “…held the Election Commission and Political Administration responsible for failure …” The Nation.

FOREIGN BODIES RESERVATIONS ON POLLS

Former US ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter and Pakistan affairs expert of the Council on Foreign Affairs Daniel Markey have found that elections in Pakistan were seriously rigged “…a powerful party like MQM had the potential to rig the elections…” and “…the results won’t be different if re-polling was conducted in Karachi…” The News but on contrary the EU observers have praised Pakistan’s landmark elections on May 11 as a positive step for democracy “… the new government to press on with reforms…” The Frontier Post.

JUI-F ALL SET TO GO ON STRIKE AGAINST RIGGING

JUI-F, after failing in mustering support for making government in KPK in the aftermath of 11 May general election, Dawn, has now decided to go on a province wide strike against the alleged rigging in KP and FATA “… The party has decided to launch it on this Friday (17.05.2013)….” The Express Tribune.

ECP COME UP WITH RE-POLLING DECISION

In light of allegations that have been leveled during the May 11 general election the secretary Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has said that the decision over thumb impressions verification would be made by the election tribunals “… The ECP considered a proposal to verify thumb impressions on ballot papers in the rigging-hit constituencies after the May 11 polls….” The News beside it, the ECP has announced that it would conduct re-polling in controversial polling stations of three constituencies of National Assembly and two constituencies of provincial assembly “…re-polling would be conducted at 21 polling stations of NA-46 from FATA while two polling station of Khuzdar’s NA-269, PK-71 and PK-72 each and in NA-41 ….” The Frontier Post, The Nation  but MQM has lashed out over the decision of ECP of Re-polling and has warned “… his party would use the right of self-defence if someone tried to snatch its mandate by force…” Dawn.

PML-N AGREED ON REVERIFICATION OF VOTING ON NA-125

Following a heated debate on authenticity of winning from NA-125, Khawaja Saad Rafiq and Hamid Khan agreed to verify the results on NA-125 and NA-126 seat “…Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Saad Rafiq made an open invitation to his Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) rival Hamid Khan to verify the result…” The Frontier Post.

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Women staged protest against rigging in NA 37 of Kurram agency and demanded re-elections in the constituency, on Monday, FRC learnt. According to the details women from different areas came to stage their protest in Parachinar City of Kurram agency, where they demanded free and transparent re-election in NA 37. FRC.

A human rights activist who founded an all-girls school said the Pakistani Taliban were `more afraid of books than bombs` as he and his 15-year-old daughter, Malala Yousufzai, were honoured on Monday at the memorial for Oklahoma City bombing victims. Ziauddin Yousufzai decried political violence during a ceremony held to honour him and his daughter, who has been recovering in Great Britain since the shooting that garnered international attention. Dawn.

Political Agent Mohmand Agency Dr Amber Ali Khan has recommended to commissioner Peshawar to suspend tehsildar Baizai Riaz Khan and Khasadar force Sobedar Mohammad Ayaz over negligence in duty in Baizai where a peace committee member was killed on the polling day. Dawn.

An alleged target killer and his two cohorts were arrested by the police from a house in Bahadar Banda area here on Tuesday. DPO Hangu, Sajid Khan told media that police acted on a tip-off and raided a house in Bahadar Banda area. Daily Times.

Tribal elders have claimed that at least 64 people – including women and children – have died of hunger, natural calamities and accidents while 12,000 families have been uprooted from their homes in Kurram Agency following a military operation against militants. Express Tribune.

Central Investigation Department (CID) on Tuesday arrested an important commander of banned TTP named Ameer Sahib son of Muhammad Yar. The CID recovered four hand grenades, two 30-bore pistols, repeater and hundreds of bullets. Media reports said that the CID captured the accused from Kemari area on secret information and also recovered heavy weaponry from his possession. Frontier Post, Daily Mashriq.

Directorate of Planning & Development of University of Agriculture Peshawar organized three-day workshop for farmers of FR Peshawar areas in order to educate them about different problems farmers faced and new techniques of farming. The Frontier Post.

The government is undertaking various initiatives to improve the financial conditions in farming communities in the tribal area of FR Tank, says a press release issued on Tuesday. The Frontier Post.

NA-44 female candidate, Badam Zari, got 230 votes in Bajaur Agency. According to the details tribal women of Bajaur agency cast their votes for the first time in 8 different constituencies and the credit goes to Badam Zari. Daily Express.

JUI-F candidate rejected the result NA-40 and demanded re-elections in the constituency. JUI-F candidate Pir Muhammad Aqel Shah claimed rigging in NA-40 in a press conference in front of Peshawar Press Club on 14^th of May 15. Daily Mashriq.

Peshawar High Court issued order of paying compensation amounts to the victim of shelling by Pakistan jet three years back. According to the court orders 1.094 million rupees for dead while 0.2 million for injured will be paid within the period of three months. The shelling were mistakenly killed 60 and inured 81 other. Daily Mashriq.

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Kurram, May 15, 2013: Women staged protest against rigging in NA 37 of Kurram agency and demanded re-elections in the constituency, on Monday, FRC learnt.

According to the details women from different areas came to stage their protest in Parachinar City of Kurram agency, where they demanded free and transparent re-election in NA 37.

While addressing the protest rally one of the women said that due to cultural limitations and security issues women have rarely been noticed protesting in FATA but such unfair situations compelled them to come out for their rights. Speakers in the rally also claimed that they were even stopped from casting their votes in NA 37.

It is important to mention here that there are two constituencies, NA-37 and NA-38, in Kurram. Elections in NA-38 were postponed due to the ongoing military operation in the area while results were officially declared for NA-37.

Meanwhile 12 thousand families were displaced due to military operation in Central Kurram. The displaced families moved towards Lower Kurram and other parts of the agency. According to the reports 64 people were died in this due to the shortage of food and shelter and some of them were killed in aforementioned clash.

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