Pak Human Rights Commission reports massive fallacies in Gilgit-Baltistan elections

Lahore, Nov.14 : The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) while expressing satisfaction over the peaceful Gilgit-Baltistan elections has pointed out several fallacies during the polls.

HRCP's special observation team reported that the whole poll procedure was marred by flaws, which was caused by the hurriedly organised elections and insufficient preparations.

The mission also received numerous complaints that the about government representatives, including Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, members of his cabinet and the acting-governor of Gilgit-Baltistan, trying to woo voters at misutilizing government's money.

The PML-N, PML-Q, MQM and several independent candidates expressed serious reservations about the role of the Gilgit-Baltistan acting-governor Qamar Zaman Kaira, who actively campaigned for the PPP candidates, The Dawn reports.

The HRCP observers also found that the ink claimed to be indelible was easily removable. At many polling stations arrangements for secrecy of ballot were either absent or inadequate.

Earlier, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani had termed the polls as 'free' and 'fair'.

Responding to the allegations of poll rigging made by Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Gilani said it has almost became a tradition to blame the party in power.

"This is our tradition to level rigging allegation. But I assure the House that the election in Gilgit-Baltistan has been free and fair," Gilani said.

--ANI