March 20; The Citizens Group on Electoral Process (CGEP), facilitated by PILDAT, has demanded strict action by the ECP against efforts of pre-electoral rigging in Pakistan.

Terming it as pre-election rigging, the Group expressed serious concern at the actions taken by the Federal and Provincial Governments in relation to mass regularization of contract employees, transfer and postings of federal and provincial employees and increase in perks and privileges of functionaries, etc. The CGEP has asked the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to take note of these actions and declare these null and void.

The CGEP also requested the forthcoming Caretaker Governments in the centre and provinces to review such actions by outgoing Governments and reverse these.

The CGEP demanded strict action against individuals threatening to disturb the electoral process and polling on the day of polling through agitation and other means.

The CGEP also expressed concern on the news that some Speakers of the National and Provincial Assemblies reportedly got hefty packages of perks and privileges approved for themselves for lifetime just before the expiry of the term of Assemblies.

With Justice (Rtd.) Saeed uz Zaman Siddiqui, former Chief Justice of Pakistan, in the chair, the CGEP members who joined the meeting included Mr. Ghazi Salahuddin, Renowned Jounrnalist; Lt.Gen (Rtd.) Moinuddin Haider, Fomer Governor Sindh and Interior Minister; Mr. Mujib-ur-Rehman Shami, Renowned Journalist; Justice (Rtd.) Nasira Iqbal, Former Judge Lahore High Court; Mr. Omer Khan Afridi, Former Federal Minister; Mr. Shahid Hamid, Former Governor Punjab; Syed Fasih Iqbal, Editor Balochistan Times and Former Senator; Mr. Zubyr Soomro, Former Banker; Mr. Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, President PILDAT and Ms. Aasiya Riaz, Joint Director PILDAT.