Pakistan Muslim League Press Release Gilgit-Baltistan Election Results 2009
Pakistan Muslim League is Pakistan’s only real opposition. As such in the Gilgit-Baltistan Elections 2009 it played an important role in identifying electoral system failures. Many types of interference were noted in the elections as is the norm in Pakistani politics. Most notable are the bureaucratic administrative pressures orchestrated by PPP Government. Pakistan Muslim League is the only party who gave evidence of pre-poll rigging couple of months prior to elections. These were presented to Prime Minister of Pakistan, Chairman National Assembly Standing Committee on Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas and Chief Election Commissioner Gilgit-Baltistan. Despite these efforts none of the pre-poll rigging issues were rectified by government.
A- Pre-poll rigging: Here is the list of evidence presented by PML on pre-poll rigging:
1. There has been no dramatic demographic changes in Gilgit-Baltistan region since 2004, so why did the Election Commission order new Electoral Lists and spent only 18 days making them? There are many issues with these new Electoral Lists, they are typed and handwritten and it has increased the chances of voter list doubling and Ghost Voters. The doubling of voters will be the prime factor for massive rigging on the day of the elections.
2. Returning Officers and other polling staff have not been trained to distinguish between fake and original NIC to stop likely double use on Election Day and this has not been included in the polling staff training manual.
3. Photocopying of Postal ballot papers has been still going on. PML demands that November 11th be the last day for announcing postal ballot results to avoid rigging.
4. PPP govt deliberately stopped Gilgit-Baltistan ADP for one and half year and announced development schemes weeks before elections to change likely elections results.
5. According to election rules there should be no posting and transferring in the period 6 months to elections but PPP led govt did massive posting and transferring to rig elections she pointed out.
6. Issue of BISP cards was raised before and investigation of PM Secretariat proved that unlike other parts of Pakistan 36,000 cards out of 50,000 cards were distributed through non elected people, mostly through PPP members in Gilgit-Baltistan. Govt officials are distributing Baitul-Mal cards and Benazir Health Cards.
7. Sitting Governor and Federal ministers are running PPP campaign in Gilgit-Baltistan Region, Chief Minister Punjab also visited Gilgit-Baltistan Region, which is against 1977 Election Rules.
8. PML demands polling consolidation forms should be signed by polling agents and Statement of Account should be immediately made public after announcement of result.
9. PML candidates complained that the list of polling station was still not been completed and made public.
10. Rs.26000 is demanded for electoral rolls but sill many candidates have been complaining they did not receive them on time.
On November 12, 2009 Election day, Pakistan Muslim League Election Cell kept intimating the CEC of the rigging efforts being made by Government and other parties. Following is the list of complaints launched with CEC.
B- Poll day rigging:
1. Male and Female polling staff at Darqchun Khapplu GBLA 23 Ghanche 2 are involved in rigging, they are stamping the votes themselves in favor of PPP candidate. PML Polling Agents are not allowed to monitor polling there.
2. Polling staff at Boys High Schools Gupis and DJ Diamond Jubilee High Schools Gupis involved in rigging and harassing people to cast votes in favor of PPP candidate.
3. DC Khaplu actively involved in pushing Mufti vote stamping and allowing PML candidate pollinga gents to be physically pushed around including women being stoned.
4. PPP workers are not allowing PML Polling Agents to monitor polling in Bunji Astore.
5. At different polling stations of Ghanche 23 PS 17 voters have been allowed to use photocopied NICs.
6. Media and polling agents of PML are not allowed to monitor elections at GBLA 14 Astore 2 Finah. Returning Officers are not visiting polling stations even though candidates have phoned them several times.
7. In Ghanche GBLA 23 Siari polling staff is not allowing PML voters serial numbers 533 to 621 to cast their votes as their names are crossed and they are sent to Choar but their names are not registered in Choar.
8. PMLN workers flattened PML vehicles on order of DC to stop them picking up their voters in Ghanche GBLA 23.
9. PML workers have been stoned at Skardu 1 ward 2 women polling station when they tried to stop PPP workers from rigging. Five PML workers are injured.
10. No polling at GBLA 23 Ghanche 2 polling station number 48 since 1pm as PMLN workers and Mufti Abdulla Group forcefully closed down polling station.
11. MQM workers took over polling stations at Sultanabad and Muhammadabad schools in Denyor.
12. Vote doubling in Sikkar Gilgit 2.
13. Triple voting in Jalabad Denyor Gilgit 3.
14. Polling restarted by 7pm in Gilgit Jalabad to disturb PML candidate results.
15. Polling continued in Boys High School Gupis and Girl High School Gupis Polling Stations by 9pm PML workers being kidnapped, Vehicle no GLT 3000 torched by PPP workers in Khalti Lake area.
16. PPP workers took away ballot boxes from Jalabad High School Polling Stations by 7:00pm they also injured polling staff there.
17. PPP workers reopened Sumair Polling station Nagar 12 by 7:30pm.
18. Polling restarted by 7:15pm in Gilgit 2 Jalabad Denyor.
19. In GBLA 3 Ballot Boxes are missing from High School Denyor. At Oshkandas Dispensary polling station polling continued till 11:30pm. Jutialpine School, result announced from private house, re-polling is requested in these polling stations.
20. In GBLA 23 two polling officers Masroor and Abdullah who had to report to returining officers Khaplu are still missing at 11:45pm.
21. Massive rigging took place GNLA 10 Astuk and Trumbuk polling stations in Rondu, therefore it is requested that there should be re-polling and re-counting in these polling stations. Northern Areas Major Ijaz was activiely participating in supporting PPP candidate and was involved in ordering manhandling of PML polling agents.
22. Massive rigging took place in Chaqean, Braqchan, Thaqskong, Lasar, Hatci, Denis and Kowas polling stations of GBLA 23 Halka 2 polling stations as polling agents of PML were made hostage therefore it is requested that there should be immediate re-polling and re-counting in these polling stations.
23. Even though CEC ordered re-polling in Nursery Building Aushkandas, SAP school Muhammadabad, Govt High school Danyor and Jutalpaeen female polling station but re-polling was not done on these polling stations, therefore it is requested that there should be re-polling there.
In addition to the above, Pakistan Muslim League confirms that all observations made by FAFEN are correct. Here is the list of FAFEN observations.
C- FAFEN observations
1. Erroneous Voter Lists: Erroneous or missing entries on the Voter Lists remained one of the major issues at most polling stations across Gilgit-Baltistan. These issues arose due to clerical errors, missing names of voters, wrong parentage, etc. At some polling stations (such as Boys High School , Jagir Basin in GBLA-1) scuffles broke out between agents of opposing candidates and polling staff because of problems with the voter lists. At Jagir Basin , the Assistant Election Commissioner had to intervene and appeal to voters to stay calm.
2. The Voter Lists were prepared in haste in only 18 days in September 2009, followed by a week-long Display Period to allow public scrutiny, and were sub-standard. People of age 18 or above were not required to possess Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs) for registration as voters, although they would be required to show their CNICs to vote. The ECGB was aware of the errors and mistakes in the voter lists and had therefore allowed the Typed as well Enumerator’s Copy of the Rolls to be available at the polling stations for the Election Day. Nevertheless, there were significant problems on Election Day because of the flawed lists.
3. Procedural Irregularities Rules for various steps of voting and counting remain vague and unclear to polling officials, which led to irregularities that had implications for the quality of the election. Some major irregularities included:
4. Requiring Voters to Sign Ballot Receipts: Many polling officials did not understand that voters should put their thumb mark on the ballot paper counterfoil (receipt). Instead, at many polling stations voters were being asked to sign their names on the ballot counterfoil, which interferes with voting secrecy.
5. Too Few Booths for Voters: At many polling stations, polling officials set up only one booth despite a high number of voters, slowing down voting. FAFEN observers in Ghanche reported that at many polling stations, all required staff did not turn up, causing chaos and delay as voters had to wait much longer than would have been the case if more booths had been set up.
6. Voting Secrecy Compromised: The right of voters to stamp their ballots in complete secrecy was breached, particularly at female polling stations, where FAFEN observers reported that women voters were stamping their ballots in front of polling officers.
7. Photocopies of CNICs Accepted: Polling officers were also not trained to distinguish between photocopy and original Computer National Identity Cards (CNICs). At many polling stations, FAFEN observers saw polling officials allowing voters to cast ballots if they only had color photo copies of CNICs, rather than the original, which is contrary to the election law. This flaw in the procedures might have allowed many fake voters to cast votes using photocopies of CNICs.
8. Before Election Day, FAFEN observers reported that polling officials had varied interpretations of clear instructions from the ECGB that CNICs were required for voting, notified by the CEC on November 5, 2009. Just one day before elections, FAFEN observers in Skardu reported that the DEC said the token for the CNIC is admissible proof of identity for voting.
9. Indelible Ink not Applied: FAFEN observers noted that indelible ink was not being applied on every voter’s thumb, especially at female polling stations, as required by election procedures.
10. Police in Polling Booths: Police officers were standing inside the polling booths where ballot papers were being issued, according to FAFEN observer reports.
11. Closing Polling Early: At many polling stations, particularly in Skardu and Ghizer, polling officers counted the ballots before the close of the official voting time period, which is contrary to election procedures and disenfranchises potential voters who might still have arrived before the stipulated polling station closing time.
12. Obstructing Election Observers: Polling officials were also not clear about the kind of cooperation they were required to offer to independent election observers. At many polling stations, FAFEN observers were stopped from entering either by security or polling officials on the pretext that the Election Commission of Gilgit-Baltistan (ECGB) Accreditation Card was not sufficient and that observers required a letter from the Deputy Commissioner.
13. Unauthorized People in Booths: Polling officers also did not keep control on the movement of unauthorized persons inside polling stations, according to many FAFEN observers. The presence of persons other than voters, polling staff and accredited political party agents inside polling places is contrary to election law and has the potential to intimidate voters and prevent people from voting freely. In some polling stations, unauthorized persons and agents were also seen watching voters stamping their ballots.
14. Election Administration: Elections to Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly were held under Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly (Elections) Order 1975 (Amended up to 2009). The primary responsibility for the conduct of elections lies with the Election Commission of Gilgit-Baltistan (ECGB) headed by the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), who was appointed less than a month before the elections. The following are some of the issues that must be addressed before the next elections in Gilgit-Baltistan.
15. Vague Electoral Procedures: Electoral rules pertaining to preparation of Voter Lists, election complaints, role of government, voting and counting, and consolidation of votes need to be clarified in order to enhance enforcement and ensure equitable implementation of all election rules.
16. Understaffed ECGB: The ECGB is under-staffed and lacks financial and technical resources to carry out the electoral exercise in 23 constituencies on short notice. With 13 staff, including support staff, and un-defined management structure, the ECGB had to rely on the assistance of government officials to conduct the elections. The Deputy Election Commissioner, who had been supervising the election administration, was posted out as Deputy Commissioner of Hunza, leaving the important position vacant at a critical stage two days before elections. Deputy Commissioners have been co-opted to act as District Election Commissioners (DECs) without being under the direct supervision of the CEC, compromising uniform implementation of the election law.
17. Shifting Polling Stations: Despite publication of the list of polling stations by the ECGB, election authorities at district level shifted the venues of polling stations a night before elections. Reports from Sihgar area of Skardu, Diamer and Gilgit suggested such last minute changes in the venues of some polling stations. The last minute changes are against the election law, cause problems for voters and candidates, and raise questions about the motives of such changes.
18. Absence of Polling Schemes: The ECGB did not release the polling schemes, which also include the names of polling staff to be deputed at various polling stations. As a result, candidates from almost all constituencies reported to FAFEN that polling officials were being changed until a day before elections. While such changes are occasionally necessary, they are contrary to election procedures and compromise the integrity of the process.
19. Mismanaged Postal Ballots: Despite assurances to FAFEN by the ECGB, the number of postal ballots issued and received before elections were not made public before the Election Day. There were also confusions about the procedures and deadline for casting postal ballots, leading to arguments at the offices of many Returning Officers. Postal ballots can change the results of elections and must be handled according to official procedures in order to count every vote and protect the process.
20. Government Interference: Despite legal restrictions on the use of state and government resources in favor of a party or a candidate in any election, functionaries of the federal government, including the Prime Minister and more than 10 other Ministers, not only campaigned for the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), but also used state resources and authority to make policy-decisions that had election implications.
21. Promises of development funds and schemes, incentives to government employees, and announcement of administrative up-gradation of remote areas supported the election campaign of candidates fielded by the PPP in 23 constituencies of seven districts, creating un-level playing field for other political contestants. The Prime Minister’s public speech in Skardu two days before elections was a clear case of political influence over the vote in favor of his party’s candidates.
22. Similarly, Baitul Maal and Benazir Income Support Program Funds were used by candidates of a party to woo voters. Hundreds of thousands of forms for these programs, in original and photocopies, were found circulating in Gilgit-Baltistan during the election campaign. 3
23. Senior leaders from Punjab and NWFP governments also used official resources to travel and campaign for the candidates of their respective parties. The Governor also sided with the candidates of his party at a time when he had the official responsibility to protect the neutrality of the elections.
Pakistan Muslim League confirms that Gilgit-Baltistan Elections 2009 were the most rigged elections of the history of Pakistan. However, since PML is a democratic party, it will continue to work within the failed system in order to improve it. It will be proposing massive electoral reforms and legislation in the National Assembly. Pakistan Muslim League remains committed to Gilgit-Baltistan progress with a two point agenda of devolution and development. It will continue to work for the people of Gilgit-Baltistan since it has won the hearts and minds of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan if not the adequate deserved seats in Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly.
The voices of the people of Gilgit Baltistan were nuzzled and they were robbed of their elected mandate in these elections. PML stands committed to bringing the real voices of the people of GB to national politics.
MNA Marvi Memon
Gilgit-Baltistan PML Incharge Gilgit
November 14, 2009
