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The recent release of Form 45 by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on its website signifies a notable stride towards transparency in the electoral process. This action follows a period of intense legal scrutiny and public outcry regarding delays in publishing crucial electoral documents.
The release of Form 45, along with Forms 46, 48, and 49, comes in response to a directive from the Islamabad High Court, prompted by lawyers representing Majlis Wahdat al-Muslimeen (MWM). The MWM had raised objections against the Election Commission’s failure to upload necessary forms, particularly Form 45 and 47, within the mandated timeframe as per the Election Act.
However, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has raised concerns about the authenticity of the recently uploaded Forms 45, alleging them to be “rigged.” In a post on X platform, the PTI shared a picture purportedly showing the “original” Form 45 from polling station no.19 Decent Public School of NA-128, where Salman Akram Raja contested. The PTI highlighted that their version of the form displayed 173 votes for rival Awn Chaudhry, whereas the copy uploaded by the ECP for the same form showed the figure overwritten to “973.”
Meanwhile, Taimur Khan Jhagra of the PTI has urged the district commissioner of his constituency in KP and other officials to clarify their positions regarding the Feb 8 general elections. Addressing the media, Jhagra alleged that during the polls, the district commissioner, senior superintendent of police (SSP), and the capital city police officer (CCPO) were confined in a room. He questioned whether they have issued any statements following the incident and called for them to elucidate their stance on the election results.
