A video has been viral on social media about allegedly purchasing the votes from Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) in NA-133 Lahore by-elections.
According to the 24News HD TV channel, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has taken notice of the alleged video procurement of votes in the by-elections in NA-133.
The ECP has instructed NADRA, PEMRA, Police and Commissioner of Lahore to make the forensic audit of the video and submit the report by November 30.
In the video, it was being observed that some people including males and females were selling their votes and taking oath on the Holy Quran in the PML-N office. Reportedly, voters were being given Rs2,000 per vote.
The Returning Officer (RO) NA-133 has also issued notice to Commissioner Lahore, IG Punjab, NADRA chairman and PEMRA chairman to identify the people seen in the video if it is original.
The RO also instructed the authorities to identify the individuals and buildings seen in the video. The RO also issued notice to the Inspector General of Punjab Police to arrest the persons involved in this matter.
Ali Pervez Malik, son of the PML-N candidate Shaista Pervez Malik termed the alleged video as fake and a conspiracy from the rival Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) candidate in NA-133.
He said that their party condemned the disgusting persons who were buying and selling votes in the constituency.
On the other hand, the PPP Parliamentary Leader in the Punjab Assembly and General Secretary of Central Punjab Syed Hassan Murtaza responded to the viral video said the PML-N had changed the slogan of respecting the vote by honouring the note.
Reporter: Usman Khan