Rigging in NA-122: ET likely to announce verdict today

LAHORE: The Election Tribunal Lahore is likely to announce the decision on the petition filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan pertaining to the alleged rigging in NA-122 and recounting of votes in the constituency.

On Saturday, PTI chairman Imran Khan recorded his statement before the Election Tribunal and said that all the votes should be recounted as all the evidence are present inside the bags carrying votes.

He also said that if he was asked to open the votes bags in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he would do so happily, adding that the mass rigging was hidden behind the stay order.

“It will be decided on Monday, whether the votes will be recounted,” Khan told.

It may be mentioned that Imran Khan had challenged rigging during polling in NA-122 against Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq.

Before the arrival of the PTI leader, a massive number of PTI and PML-N supporters gathered outside the Election Commission Tribunal in Punjab.

The workers and supporters of both the parties chanted slogans against each other.

Heavy contingents of security forces were present in the vicinity to avert any untoward situation.

During the last hearing, the witnesses from PTI had recorded their statements.

Imran Khan, while talking to media before leaving for Lahore to record his statement, said that PTI was ready to start dialogue within 48 hours with the government.

He said that he has received mixed signals from the government and said that they should not be deceived this time. He urged for “serious” dialogues from the government this time.