JUI-F Candidate Levels Rigging Allegations in Kalat Constituency Re-Polling
Sardarzada Mir Saeed Ahmed Langove, the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (Fazl) candidate for PB-36 Kalat, has launched a scathing accusation against election authorities and his political opponents, alleging large-scale rigging during the recent re-polling at seven disputed polling stations. He described the incident as a brazen theft of the voters' mandate, executed under the cover of darkness, which has cast a shadow over the electoral process in the region.
Press Conference Details and Allegations
Addressing a press conference at the Quetta Press Club on Sunday, Langove was flanked by other party leaders as he detailed the irregularities. He asserted that the re-polling, ordered by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on March 10, was deliberately marred to overturn his earlier lead. Langove emphasized that this was not a minor oversight but a calculated move to manipulate the outcome, undermining democratic principles.
Background of the Initial Election and Disputes
Langove recounted that during the February 8, 2024 general elections, polling proceeded transparently at 95 percent of the 92 stations in the constituency. However, at seven specific stations, including those in Johan and Gazk, workers of his opposing candidate allegedly seized ballot papers and boxes at gunpoint. These materials were removed for 24 hours, during which votes were stamped in favor of his rival, according to Langove's claims.
Post-Election Developments and ECP Intervention
Despite protests from Langove and his supporters, the District Returning Officer (DRO) initially awarded him results from 85 stations, showing a lead of 2,294 votes. However, the following day, consolidated results on Forms 47 and 49 declared his rival victorious. This discrepancy prompted complaints, leading the ECP to order re-polling at the seven disputed stations in an attempt to resolve the conflict.
Pre-Re-Polling Concerns and Demands
Prior to the re-polling exercise, Langove demanded the list of presiding officers and staff but was denied access. He asserted that many of these individuals were relatives or political workers of his opponent, raising serious concerns about bias and fairness. This lack of transparency, he argued, facilitated the rigging and compromised the integrity of the electoral process.
In summary, Langove's allegations highlight significant issues in the electoral system, calling for greater accountability and transparency to protect the democratic rights of voters in Kalat and beyond.
