Summary PPP AJK President Chaudhry Yasin alleged widespread rigging in recent elections, criticised Punjab Police deployment and warned the PML-N government would not last.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Azad Jammu and Kashmir President Chaudhry Yasin has alleged widespread rigging in the recent AJK elections, claiming the controversial electoral process has sent a negative message about the region and warning that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government will not last long.
Addressing a press conference at the Islamabad Press Club alongside other PPP leaders, Yasin said the party had serious reservations about the elections even before polling and alleged that the electoral process had been made controversial through what he described as widespread irregularities.
He said transparent elections in Azad Kashmir would have sent a positive message to the international community and the people of Kashmir. Instead, he alleged, various actions during the electoral process created a negative impression.
Yasin alleged that Punjab Police personnel were deployed in the AJK elections and accused them of showing partiality. He claimed that evidence of alleged rigging had emerged in several constituencies, including LA-5, LA-9, LA-11 and LA-12.
The PPP leader also made allegations concerning the eligibility and background of one of the successful candidates, claiming that the candidate had faced a rape case in Britain. He further alleged that different tactics were used to influence election results and claimed that ballot papers were stamped throughout the night.
Yasin also referred to remarks allegedly made by Federal Minister Rana Sanaullah about a year before the elections. According to the PPP leader, Sanaullah had predicted that a PML-N government would be formed in Azad Kashmir and had allegedly referred to 10 refugee seats from Punjab as being assured for the party.
Yasin said an electoral committee had also been formed to address concerns relating to the polls, with representatives of the PPP and PML-N participating in it. He claimed that the PML-N initially agreed to certain principles but later backed away from its position.
Describing Azad Kashmir as the base camp of the Kashmir freedom movement, Yasin said elections in the region carried significance beyond its borders.
“Azad Kashmir is the base camp of the Kashmir freedom movement, and the elections here convey an important message to the world,” he said, according to the PPP account of his remarks.
Yasin alleged that the message emerging from the elections was not the one that should have been conveyed from Kashmir.
He further claimed that the newly formed PML-N government in Azad Kashmir would not remain in power for long. He said the region was already facing difficult circumstances and alleged that statements from government ministers were further aggravating the situation.
Javed Budhanoovi's allegations
PPP candidate from Nakyal Javed Budhanoovi also alleged irregularities in his constituency, claiming that a tehsildar had been involved in pre-poll rigging and had allegedly received Rs10 million from an opposing political group.
Budhanoovi alleged that an FIR related to a murder incident was registered against him, while his party observed mourning over the death. He further claimed that workers associated with the deceased's political group celebrated the incident by beating drums.
He questioned the decision to conduct the AJK elections in three phases, saying that holding the polls in two phases would have been more appropriate.
Budhanoovi alleged that PML-N secured nine seats in the Mirpur division with the assistance of Punjab Police.
He also claimed that the assistant commissioner of his constituency was transferred only days before the election. According to him, he was unaware on polling day that voting hours had been extended by one hour, which he alleged provided an opportunity for irregularities.
The PPP leaders called for an impartial investigation into all allegations and concerns surrounding the AJK elections. They demanded that alleged electoral irregularities be thoroughly examined and effective measures be taken to ensure transparency in the electoral process.
The allegations by the PPP leaders have not been independently established in the information provided, and the concerned authorities and PML-N have not been quoted in the report as responding to the claims.
