PPP demands probe into 'rigging' in civic polls

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, AUG. 7. The Pakistan People's Party led by the former Prime Minister, Ms. Benazir Bhutto, has expressed concern over allegations of `selective rigging' by the military Government in the elections to the offices of Nazims and Naib Nazims held in 82 districts of Pakistan.

The election of Nazims and Naib Nazims was the last phase of the partyless polls to the local bodies held by the Musharraf Government. The process began in December last and Gen. Musharraf is scheduled soon to make a formal announcement on the operation of the new local government system.

The former Law Minister in the Sindh Province, Pir Mazhar ul Haq, in a statement today demanded an inquiry into allegations that some military officers interfered in the electoral process.

He alleged that the rigging was blatantly manifest in PPP strongholds - Sindh, Badin, Dadu and Nawab Shah districts. ``The rigging began with the alleged involvement of military officers even at the stage of the filing of nomination papers such as in Badin, Ms. Fahmida Mirza, PPP ex-Member of National Assembly of Pakistan was not even allowed to contest the slot of District Nazim Badin''.

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Section  : International
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