PML-N alleges voter disruptions in NA-128, PTI responds

• PML-N and PTI lock horns in ‘rigging allegations’ with IPP candidate in the centerfold

LAHORE: Omer Sohail Zia Butt, a prominent figure within the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), has made damning accusations against polling staff outside a polling station. Butt alleged that the polling staff deliberately caused disruptions targeting voters who possessed voter slips of PML-N candidates.

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The incident, which unfolded outside a polling station in the constituency of NA-128 Model Town Lahore, involved political parties. Zia Butt, representing PML-N was speaking on behalf of Mohammad Awn Saqlain Chaudry, candidate of Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) and backed by PML-N. His primary adversary is the notable Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) member and lawyer Salman Akram Raja. While Raja is contesting as an independent candidate, he is prominently backed by the PTI.

The video and quickly garnered attention after footage of Butt’s statement circulated on social media platforms. Notably, the video surfaced through accounts affiliated with the PTI, archrivals of the PML-N.

PTI representatives seized upon the opportunity to rebut the allegations, asserting that the polling staff’s actions aimed to prevent potential electoral malpractice by PML-N supporters. They suggested that the accusations were merely an attempt by PML-N to deflect attention from their inability to engage in rigging tactics.

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Statement from a PML-N voter, however, contradicted the arguments given by Zia Butt. She said, “There was no such disruption and the whole process went smoothly”. She added, “I did not vote for PTI-backed candidate. Although I have voted for PML-N in 2013 and 2018 as well and they lost both time”.

As tensions mount amidst these allegations, observers are closely monitoring the situation, with both parties engaged in a war of words over the integrity of the electoral process. The incident underscores the high stakes and fierce competition characterizing Pakistan’s electoral landscape.