PoK: Locals, political parties allege 21 July polls were rigged, hold massive protests

Protests erupted across Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) as locals hit the streets over the 21 July polls, which they claim were rigged by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). PML-N bagged 32 out of 41 seats in the polls. PoK towns like Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Chinari and Mirpur witnessed huge protests after PML-N supporters killed a Muslim Conference activist in Muzaffarabad. [caption id=“attachment_2918246” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Locals in PoK protest over aleged rigging of polls. Screen grab from ANI Twitter video.[/caption] Locals allege that they weren’t allowed to cast votes and Pakistan’s Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI) abetted the ruling party to swing results in their favor. Demonstrations were held outside PoK assembly at Muzaffarabad and other government buildings as dissenters closed all commercial establishments in various cities across Pok. According to Zee News, political parties have also raised doubts over the verdict while locals have alleged that election results in PoK has always been rigged in favour of the ruling party. Parties have observed that taxpayers’ money has been wasted over a democratic process which was fraught with discrepancies like rigging and booth jamming.

#WATCH Muzaffarabad: Protests break out in PoK as locals complain of rigging in elections https://t.co/IkM3FTxjLn

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

— ANI (@ANI_news) July 27, 2016

The Pakistan Human Rights Group has also slammed the due process which was followed, confirming that money and muscle power was used to swing the results in favour of PML-N. As per reports by Business Standrad, an MC candidate accused PML-N of having killed their ‘friend’. Former PoK Prime Minsiter and MC leader Sultan Mehmood Chaudhary alleged that there were instances of vote for cash in Mirpur. Last year,  reports had emerged that PoK was impressed with the Narendra Modi government and if a referendum takes place then locals in PoK would vote to become part of India.