PROTESTS AGAINST ELECTIONS
President Asif Ali Zardari thinks that some `local and international forces` ensured that the PPP did not come to power again and accused them of stealing the `party`s mandate` in the general elections “… The PPP has been kept out of power by force as some local and international forces were against its coming to power again…” Dawn, The News, Daily Times. Tehreek-i-Insaf supporters and workers on Monday staged a protest demonstration against the killing of party leader Zehra Shahid Husain in Karachi “… The protesters, carrying banners and placards bearing inscriptions against the government …” Dawn. Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Sunday appealed to his party workers in Lahore to end their sit-in protests The Frontier Post.
REVERIFICATION OF VOTERS
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is ready to carry out verification of thumb impressions of voters with the help of the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) if ordered by election tribunals set up to hear complaints about rigging or irregularities in the May 11 elections Dawn, The Frontier Post, The Nation, Daily Times.
RE-POLLING
After failing to convince the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for recounting or re-polling at one National Assembly and one provincial assembly seat, the supporters of Muttahida Deeni Mahaz (MDM) blocked the Faizabad interchange for several hours on Monday, creating troubles for commuters Dawn. The Election Commission of Pakistan has finalised arrangements for holding repolling in 11 stations of two provincial assembly constituencies in Bannu district and a National Assembly constituency in tribal areas on Tuesday (May 21) Dawn, Daily Times. A former provincial minster on Monday demanded re-polling in Torghar constituency, PK-58. Nimroz Khan told a press conference that because of his efforts, people of Torghar were given basic rights and tribal area was changed into a settled district. The News. Candidates from NA-44, Bajaur Agency, not only demanded re-election but also replacement of the sitting governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to ensure free and fair elections. The News. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) central candidate Ibrar ul Haq has filed petition in Supreme Court (SC) seeking orders for revocation of election and re-election in his constituency NA-117 The Frontier Post, Daily Times. Political Agent Mutahir Zeb Khan refused to establish Poling Station in Peshawar for the re-poling of NA-46 on 25 May The Frontier Post Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf candidate Monday demanded of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to conduct re-polling in NA 41 South Waziristan Agency (SWA). The Frontier Post. Similarly Balochistan National Party (BNP-Mengal) Women Wing on Monday took out a rally and staged a protest demonstration outside the Quetta Press Club on Monday against what they alleged rigging in the May 11 polls. The Nation.
ELECTORAL VIOLENCE
Three activists of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) sustained injuries in a clash with the police during a protest demonstration here on Monday, police sources said. The PTI activists staged protest outside the court premises when the Additional District and Sessions Judge (AD&SJ) and Returning Officer (RO) of National Assembly constituency NA-9 dismissed the petition of the PTI candidate for recounting of ballots papers. The News. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed alarm over escalating confrontation and violence in Karachi and appealed to all sides to act in a rational manner and focus on resolving the litany of challenges facing the country. Dawn.
