LAHORE: An assistant presiding officer (APO) at a Lahore polling station’s video has been shared on social media who allegedly has cast 600 bogus votes; however the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has denied the claim. Meanwhile, DG Rangers said Law and order situation was, by and large under control.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) said that it has received 13 complaints so far during the by-polls in 20 constituencies of the Punjab province.
الیکشن کمیشن اس وڈیو کا کوئی جواب دے گا ؟ pic.twitter.com/yZ9WaX2Ztt
— Dr. Shahbaz GiLL (@SHABAZGIL) July 17, 2022
The video showed a man sitting at a chair surrounded by police and others as a man yelled at him saying that he has polled 600 fake votes. The video was recorded at a polling station in Jhogiyan area of Lahore, falling under PP-140.
The ECP while taking notice of the video with returning officer rejecting the claim of 600 votes being polled by the assistant presiding officer. “The assistant presiding officer helped an aged man cast his vote,” the RO said adding that 600 votes have not been polled at the station so far.
The RO removed the concerned APO from duty at the polling station.
The spokesman in its statement said that most of the complaints pertained to clashes between the rival political groups and all of them have been sorted out.
Meanwhile, Deputy Director-General Rangers visited all Lahore constituencies on DG Major General Asif Hussain’s orders. The Deputy DG Shehzad Muneer checked the security readiness, the spokesperson added. The Deputy DG was satisfied with the security situation and said that the overall situation is under control.
They added that Pakistan rangers prepared to counter any law and order situation amid the by-polls. No one would be allowed to break the law, they added.
Earlier, the Secretary Election Commission of Pakistan visited PP-158, PP-167 and PP-168 and ordered to resume the polling process for the Punjab by-polls as soon as possible.
According to details, the polling halted at the above-mentioned Punjab Assembly constituencies due to clashes between PTI, PML-N and TLP workers.
ECP secretary Umer Hameed visited multiple polling stations in the three PP seats and inquired about the polling readiness of the polling agents and supplies.
