KARACHI: In the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) elections for 2024-26, the ruling Businessmen Group (BMG) is accused of using illegal tactics to rig the vote.

Despite these allegations, the Businessmen Alliance (BMA) remains confident in their ability to win the KCCI elections. Asif Sakhi, leader of the BMA, claimed in a statement that the BMG is using various methods to manipulate the election process. He noted that while BMG candidates were assigned serial numbers from 1 to 30, the BMA's candidates have not been allocated any serial numbers. Sakhi added that the BMA had previously requested serial numbers for its candidates, but the BMG assigned numbers only to its own candidates and withheld them from the BMA's nominees. This, Sakhi contends, indicates an attempt by the BMG to rig the elections. He added that a deadline of September 5 was set for the allocation of serial numbers, but the BMG has yet to assign numbers from 31 to 60 to the BMA's candidates.

Sakhi has called on Commerce Minister Jam Kamal to address these alleged irregularities and prevent any undue influence by the BMG, particularly given that the group's leader holds a government position.Additionally, Sakhi expressed serious concerns about the impartiality of the Election Commission overseeing the KCCI elections and urged for the establishment of an independent Election Commission to ensure a fair process.