ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Sunday rejected allegations of rigging in the November 23 by-elections — particularly in NA-18 Haripur — calling the claims “baseless” and contrary to facts.
By-elections for six National Assembly and seven Punjab Assembly seats were held earlier this month. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) contested all seats except one provincial constituency in Muzaffargarh, ultimately securing victories on all 12.
The opposition Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), however, accused the government of manipulating the process, with senior leader Asad Qaiser publicly rejecting the results.
In a detailed statement, the ECP said that “specific elements” were once again attempting to cast doubt on the electoral process by alleging conspiracies in the appointment of the district returning officer (DRO) and returning officer (RO) for NA-18 Haripur.
The Commission clarified that due to a shortage of staff during the general elections, DROs and ROs could not always be appointed directly by the ECP.
However, for by-elections, such appointments were made by assigning officers already posted in the relevant area — a practice fully allowed under the Elections Act, 2017.
“These appointments were made well before polling day, and no objection was raised by any party until after the results were announced,” the ECP stated, adding that the allegations began only after PTI’s defeat.
The Commission further explained that PTI did not utilise available legal forums to raise objections. “If the RO refused to receive any application, the concerned party should have approached the Election Commission — but this was not done,” it said.
The ECP noted that claims of Form-45 being prepared in advance were also incorrect, as all presiding officers and staff were provided by the provincial administration.
“Had the Commission desired, it could have appointed federal employees stationed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as presiding officers,” it said, adding that election materials and results were submitted by provincial staff, with provincial security personnel providing support.
The regulator said that repetitive allegations after every election were aimed solely at undermining public confidence in the electoral process.
“If any party has objections, the proper forum is the Election Tribunal — which is fully functional — rather than making accusations through the media,” the statement concluded.
It reaffirmed that all actions during the by-elections were conducted strictly in accordance with the Constitution and the law.
