Bilawal “argues” with Zardari over transparency of polls
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and his co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari appeared to disagree on issues related to the upcoming elections as the latter hoped for transparent polls while the former expressed concerns about manipulation of the results and Rigging.
A day after PPP co-chairman Zardari said the country was moving towards transparent polls, PPP chairman Bilawal hinted that the poll results may have been predetermined.
“The country is moving towards transparent elections,” Zardari had said in a recent statement on the PPP’s demands for a “level playing field” with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
Addressing a rally in Nowshera on Monday, Bilawal warned that his party would not accept the elections if anyone interfered with the results and reiterated his demand for transparent polls.
“Parties with a two-thirds majority say they have reached an agreement [regarding upcoming set up]Bilawal said, without elaborating on who made a deal with whom.
“An election is of no use if the results are fixed in advance,” Bilawal warned, pointing out that if someone becomes prime minister, others will protest and stage sit-ins against the newly formed government.
There is a history in Pakistan where parties did not accept the results and claimed outside interference after the results were announced. The winning candidates said the polls were transparent.
“We will only accept the people’s choice, not anyone else’s,” Bilawal said, pointing out that the only solution out of the quagmire for the country is “transparent polls”.
The Election Commission of Pakistan has announced February 8, 2024 as the date for general elections across the country, with the PML-N also holding meetings with politicians to strengthen its position ahead of the elections.
In a similar stance, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has also called for a level playing field, saying authorities have not allowed the party to campaign as its leader Imran Khan remains in jail.
However, the PPP has also recently stated that if PTI is not allowed to participate, the credibility of the elections would not be in question for anyone.
