The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) had allegedly opened dozens of sealed ballot bags of NA-118 (Lahore) to tamper with the polled votes in May last year, informed officials.
PML-N candidate Malik Riaz had won from NA-118 in the May 2013 general elections but Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf candidate Hamid Zaman had challenged the result. Zaman later filed a writ petition in the election tribunal to challenge the success of Malik Riaz, citing claims of massive rigging.
A group of top NADRA officials, comprising acting chairman, Mr Tajwar, Finger-Print Verification Unit (FPVU) director general Col Khalid Manzoor Khattak and FPVU project director Muzaffar completed the entire process of unsealing dozens of bags containing polled votes of NA-118. The NADRA men ensured that the bags had same number of votes as the notified number of voters cast. Justice Munir Mughal was representing PTI candidate Hamid Zaman to the thumbprint verification proceedings.
The act by the accused NADRA officials raises the question mark on the credibility of the Election Commission of Pakistan, say officials. Moreover, they reveal that the thumb verification process of NA 118 Lahore had a direct link with the sacking of Tariq Malik as NADRA chairman.