The newly-appointed Commissioner of Rawalpindi, Saif Anwar Jhappa, vehemently refuted all accusations of election rigging leveled by his predecessor, Liaquat Ali Chattha.
Following Chattha’s unexpected admission of involvement in rigging the February 8 elections and subsequent resignation, Jhappa convened a press conference at the DC office in Rawalpindi on Saturday to address the situation.
Chattha’s confession included claims that 13 candidates from Rawalpindi were unlawfully declared winners, alleging manipulation of results involving the chief election commissioner and chief justice of Pakistan. He insisted that independent candidates who were leading by a margin of over 70,000 votes were unfairly made to lose through fraudulent means.
“I accept full responsibility. I deserve punishment. I cannot be part of a crime that could harm Pakistan,” declared Chattha in his resignation statement.
Contrary to Chattha’s assertions, Commissioner Saif Anwar Jhappa, during the press conference, maintained that the 2024 Election was conducted with transparency. He emphasized that the commissioner’s role was merely that of a coordinator.
Jhappa was joined by the District Returning Officers (DROs) from all four districts within the Rawalpindi Division – Rao Atif Raza (Attock), Hasan Waqar Cheema (Rawalpindi), Qurtaul Ain (Chakwal), and Captain (R) Sami (Jhelum).
DRO Rawalpindi Hasan Waqar Cheema dismissed all allegations, affirming that the elections were conducted transparently, and called for an investigation into Chattha’s claims.
Echoing Cheema’s stance, DRO Chakwal Quratul Ain stated that the elections in Chakwal were conducted in accordance with the Election Act, and all procedures adhered to the oath. She advocated for an independent inquiry into the allegations.
Similarly, DROs Attock and Jhelum, Rao Atif Raza, and Captain (R) Sami denied any undue influence during the February 8 polls, asserting that the elections in their respective districts were conducted transparently.
DRO Talagang Khawar Bashir affirmed that they conducted the elections transparently in Talagang and urged for an impartial investigation into Chattha’s accusations.
