Pakistan’s CEC and Chief Justice complicit in election rigging before resigning

A senior Pakistani bureaucrat has made explosive allegations of election rigging in the recent polls, accusing the chief election commissioner and chief justice of being "completely involved".

Liaquat Ali Chattha, the former commissioner of Rawalpindi, resigned from his post on Saturday whilst taking "responsibility for all this wrongdoing". His remarks come as Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party began nationwide protests against alleged rigging and stealing of its mandate in the 8 February elections.

Speaking to reporters at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Mr Chattha claimed candidates who were "losing" were "made to win". He said there was "pressure" on him to the extent he considered suicide, but resolved to present the matters publicly instead.

"I am taking responsibility for all this wrongdoing and telling you the chief election commissioner and chief justice are also completely involved," Mr Chattha was quoted as saying by the Dawn newspaper. He added, "Stabbing the country in its back does not let me sleep."

The former bureaucrat requested the entire bureaucracy "to not do anything wrong for all these politicians." He said he should be punished for the "injustice" he has done, and others involved should also face punishment.

Massive Breaking!! Commissioner Rawalpindi admits to mass scale rigging. Stole PTI's 13 NA seats with victory margins as big as 70 Thousand! This will be the last nail in the coffin of sham PMLN victory, IA pic.twitter.com/H8n9cLSwvH

— PTI Politics Update (@PTI_Politics) February 17, 2024

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has strongly rejected Mr Chattha's allegations against the chief election commissioner. In a statement, it said no official ever issued instructions to Mr Chattha regarding changing results, and he did not play a direct role in conducting the elections. However, the ECP said the matter would be investigated.

Punjab's caretaker information minister Amir Mir also dismissed the claims, saying Mr Chattha showed no proof. He suggested the retiring commissioner may be trying to kickstart a political career.

Besides PTI, other parties like JUI-F and GDA have also alleged rigging. Independent candidates, mostly PTI-backed, won 93 seats. But PML-N and PPP have formed a post-poll alliance, likely giving them enough seats to form government.