NA-246 by-polls: MQM demands 'independent' observers

MQM leader Farooq Sattar while expressing his reservations in a press conference in Jinnah Ground demanded from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to call neutral and independent observers during the by-election due to be held on April 23.

Hitting back at opponent parties, Sattar said that opponent parties are falsely claiming that MQM men are snatching National Identity Cards (NIC) from the people of the constituency.

“If such a practice is being observed, we ask the election commission and law enforcement agencies to look into the matter and register a First Information Report (FIR) against the culprits”, said Sattar.

The MQM leadership warned that they will hold election commission responsible if they observe a deliberate effort to decrease MQM votes or the genuine mandate of the people of constituency is stolen.

Sattar maintained that ECP should take notice as opponent candidates are leveling baseless allegations against MQM leadership which is a clear violation of the code of conduct.

MQM candidate for NA-246 by-polls Kunwar Naveed Jamil and MQM CEC Chairman Waseem Akhtar were also present at the press conference.

The NA-246 constituency of Karachi will witness a by-poll on April 23 as the seat fell vacant after Nabil Gabol who was elected on the ticket of MQM in the 2013 general elections, resigned from his seat after developing differences with the party.

A number of candidates are participating in the election with the most notable being MQM’s Kunwar Naveed Jamil, PTI’s Imran Ismail and JI’s Rashid Nasim. The by-polls are due to be held on April 23, 2015.