Karachi: Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan Convener Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said, “Pre-poll rigging” was underway ahead of Local Body elections in Karachi and Hyderabad. After delay of several months and court cases, Local Body polls in districts are going to take place on January 15. Elections were repeatedly postponed due to floods and lack of security personnel.

In press conference alongside Jamaat-e-Islami leader Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman, Siddiqui claimed, “Two separate voter lists existed in Karachi and Hyderabad.” “We want elections to be conducted on time protests are our constitutional right and we will exercise that right on January 9,” MQM-P leader said.

 Siddiqui said MQM-P was aware of JI’s point of view regarding local polls and party has listened to MQM-P’s concerns very carefully and showed sympathy.  “We came here on very serious issue,” said Siddiqui. He remarked that JI and MQM-P believe “Basic democracy is real democracy. Those who believe in feudal democracy consider basic democracy as serious threat.” Pre-poll rigging in Karachi and Hyderabad is already done, said Siddiqui, adding, “Major tampering was witnessed in delimitation of constituencies”.

He said MQM-P demand Local Body elections immediately but they should be conducted in “Free and fair” manner. “How can elections be accepted when rigging before polls is already done?” Negotiations are underway with Pakistan Peoples’ Party and people would be informed about situation, said Siddiqui, after negotiations between parties seem to have hit snag. Meanwhile, JI Karachi Amir Rehman said that in era of dictatorships, Local Body elections were held but democratic governments refrain from holding them. “We had struggled hard in General Ayub-led regime. We also went to courts regarding voter lists and highlighted this issue,” he said, adding that elections were held in 2013, 2015, and 2018.

“Elections took place under unapproved consensus,” he said, but noted, “Elections taking place are better than no elections at all”. Naeem further told journalists that city seeks its “Own representatives” so that its issues city could be resolved. He demanded “Empowerment of local representatives”. “We will not support postponement of LB elections in any case. We want elections to take place,” said Naeem. “We maintain that parties should raise their voice on their own platforms regarding issues”. JI leader said, “We are going to stage sit-in in front of CM House Karachi today”.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 05 2023

Like Business on Facebook, follow @DailyNCourier on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.