Rawalpindi: On Saturday, Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatha surprised everyone by revealing something shocking about cheating in elections. He admitted to changing the election results in Rawalpindi to make candidates who were losing actually win.
Resigning from his position. Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatha demanded punishment, expressing his readiness to face hanging for injustice to Rawalpindi Division.
In a press conference held at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Chatha claimed that they declared 13 candidates from the Pindi division as winners against their will. Disclosing that they provided losing candidates with leads of 50,000 votes.
“I have caused harm to the Rawalpindi Division,” he admitted. “After the Fajr prayer today, I attempted suicide. However, I reconsidered, questioning why I should face a wrongful death. Instead, I decided to reveal everything to the public.”
“I acknowledge my accountability for election manipulation in the Rawalpindi Division and willingly present myself to the police,” he stated.
The commissioner mentioned that he initiated numerous development projects in the city. But felt remorseful for damaging his legacy by betraying the country.
“I cannot find peace at night because of this. I desire a peaceful death and acknowledge that I deserve punishment for my actions. The chief election commissioner and others involved should also face consequences,” he expressed.
Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chattha expressed regret, stating, “I apologize to the returning officer (RO) under me. When I requested his involvement, he refused, crying, and expressed his unwillingness to participate.”
The commissioner alleged, “The chief election commissioner and chief justice are complicit in electoral fraud. We manipulated the outcome by providing fake stamps, causing independent candidates to lose by a margin of 70,000 votes.”
He fully accepted responsibility, acknowledging, “I deserve punishment”. I cannot partake in actions that could harm Pakistan.” However, he praised the army for conducting fair elections and suggested. “Re-elections are unnecessary; reviewing Form 45 will clarify results.”
Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatha highlighted his contributions to Rawalpindi’s development. Including the construction of the Ring Road, Dadhucha Dam, Holy Family Hospital, and Rawalpindi Gymkhana. But emphasized his inability to condone the fraud he committed.
Subsequently, the caretaker government announced his transfer and instructed him to report to the Service and General Administration Department.
The ECP denies Liaquat Ali Chatha accusations and establishes an investigative committee.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has opted to establish a high-level committee to investigate. The rigging allegations raised by former Rawalpindi Commissioner, Liaquat Ali Chatta.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja called for an emergency meeting of the ECP. In response to the allegations made by the former Rawalpindi Commissioner.
Following the meeting. The ECP issued a press statement stating that they thoroughly discussed the allegations. Leading to the decision to form a committee headed by a senior member of the commission. The committee will also include the Secretary, special secretary, and Additional Director General of the law department.
“The committee will gather statements from Rawalpindi’s District Returning Officers (DROs) and Returning Officers (ROs) and will submit its findings to the commission within three days of its notification,” the statement outlined.
It further stated that based on the committee’s report, legal action and contempt proceedings against former Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Chatta may be pursued.
Earlier, the electoral watchdog commission dismissed Liaquat Ali Chatta’s allegations against the chief election commissioner and the ECP, emphasizing that no ECP official issued instructions to manipulate election results.
“The commissioner of any division does not hold the role of DRO, RO, or presiding officer and therefore does not directly oversee the conduct of elections,” the statement clarified. However, the electoral watchdog has committed to promptly initiating an inquiry into the matter.
PTI calls for an investigation into Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatha disclosures regarding poll rigging.
In the wake of the revelations made by the Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatha, PTI leader Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has called for an immediate inquiry into the allegations of rigging. He stressed that if the Commissioner claims that winning candidates were actually defeated, he should specify which candidates were originally leading. The PTI leader stated, “According to Form 45, we were winning the election, but later our candidates were declared losers with Form 47. Barrister Gohar expressed deep concern over the seriousness of the Commissioner’s statement, suggesting that moving towards a new election could unearth significant issues. He demanded the return of his party’s “snatched mandate” to ensure the sustainability of democracy and the stability of the country.
It’s noteworthy that Commissioner Rawalpindi Liaquat Ali Chatha resigned from his post, taking responsibility for the alleged rigging in the 2024 elections. Chatha admitted that rigging occurred under his supervision, with candidates who were initially leading in their constituencies by over 70,000 votes being declared losers with the aid of counterfeit seals.
Hamid Khan advocates for a judicial investigation into Liaquat Ali Chatha revelation concerning election manipulation.
PTI leader Hamid Khan has called for a judicial investigation into the revelations made by Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chattha regarding alleged rigging in the general elections.
In a statement on Saturday, the senior jurist expressed disbelief in the notion that the commissioner has no role in the election process, highlighting the commissioner’s authority over the deputy commissioner.
Khan emphasized that if the commissioner intends to obstruct, there are mechanisms in place to intervene.
He noted the significance of a prominent government figure acknowledging election rigging, stating, “It is gratifying to see such a pivotal figure’s conscience awakening, and I hope others will follow suit.” Khan stressed the global recognition of historic fraud allegations and urged for a judicial inquiry to address these concerns.
