The inquiry commission has summoned at least seven returning officers (ROs) over their alleged involvement in ‘systematic rigging’ in the 2013 general elections.
The three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Nasirul Mulk on Tuesday observed that allegations of Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid’s (PML-Q) candidates against ROs ‘necessitate’ that they should be summoned for cross examination.
The commission has, therefore, asked its secretary to inform the ROs concerned through the Lahore High Court’s registrar regarding their appearance on Wednesday.
During the hearing on Tuesday, PML-Q’s counsel Dr. Khalid Ranjha produced seven private witnesses before the commission to establish ROs did not issue mandatory notices to the contesting candidates under Section 39 of the Representatives of People’s Act 1976, and that they conducted the consolidation proceedings in the absence of candidates and their election agents.
These seven witnesses, who were PML-Q candidates who lost the elections, claimed before the commission that ROs rigged the polls.
After examination of the candidates, the commission summoned seven judicial officers, who performed their duties as ROs during the 2013 general elections.
The PML-Q last week had requested the commission to summon ROs, who conducted the election in different constituencies of Punjab.
