Imran calls for 'fair investigation, meaningful trial' into RC’s claim regarding rigging

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has called for a fair investigation and meaningful trial into the Rawalpindi Commissioner's revelations about the manipulation of election results.

Taking to the microblogging site X, the former prime minister said the PTI was "robbed of at least 13 National Assembly seats in the Rawalpindi division alone".

"His [Liaquat Ali Chattha] statement serves as a stark revelation of the countrywide systematic manipulation of election results where PTI’s significant leads were deceitfully tampered into losses, depriving the people of their rightful mandate, not only in the National Assembly but also in Provincial Assemblies," he said in a post.

He demanded respect for the people's will by declaring election results as per form-45.

"It’s high time, for the sake of the country’s reputation, well-being as well as political and economic stability, to reflect and correct our course, and respect the people’s will by declaring results as per Form 45." 

"PTI also calls for a fair investigation and meaningful trial of all those involved in this brazen mandate theft," the PTI founder concluded.

Earlier today, Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Liaquat Ali Chattha has resigned from his post in protest against electoral irregularities, saying rigging took place under his supervision. 

Chattha made startling revelations about the recently held February 8 elections while talking to reporters outside the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

"We were forced to convert losers into winners with 70,000-80,000 votes margin by stamping fake ballot papers. I've done injustice to the people of Rawalpindi," he added.

“I am taking responsibility for all this wrongdoing and telling you that the chief election commissioner and the chief justice are also completely involved in this,” he said.

On the other hand, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has strongly rejected the allegations leveled by Chattha.

"No official of the commission gave any direction to the Rawalpindi Commissioner regarding the manipulation of results," the statement issued by the electoral body read.

"The commissioner of any division is neither a district returning officer, RO, or presiding officer nor do they have any direct role in the conduct of an election," it added.

The ECP vowed to conduct an inquiry into the matter 'as soon as possible'.