ISLAMABAD: The Ittihad Group has accused the rival Awaz Group of alleged pre-poll rigging, electoral irregularities and attempts to manipulate voter participation ahead of the Pakistan Flour Mills Association (PFMA) Punjab elections scheduled for October 24.
In a joint statement, PFMA Punjab Vice Chairman Sheikh Ejaz, Ittihad Group leader Chaudhry Masood, Chaudhry Iftikhar Sandhu and other senior members expressed concern over the electoral arrangements, alleging that restrictions on polling facilities could prevent association members from exercising their voting rights.
The Ittihad Group claimed that the Awaz Group, which it said had controlled the association for the past 16 years, was employing various tactics to influence the election outcome, including alleged attempts to secure votes through irregular means.
The group particularly objected to the decision to establish only one polling station in Lahore, arguing that the arrangement would discourage participation by flour mill owners from other districts of Punjab.
Sheikh Ejaz said the Ittihad Group had approached the Directorate General of Trade Organisations (DGTO), which subsequently directed that three polling stations be established in Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi for the October 24 elections.
However, he alleged that the decision was later withdrawn following representations by the Awaz Group, which cited a shortage of funds as the reason for restricting polling to Lahore.
He questioned the justification for withdrawing the earlier arrangement, alleging that the decision would create serious difficulties for association members travelling from Rawalpindi, Multan and other distant areas.
According to Sheikh Ejaz, holding the election at a single polling station could significantly reduce voter turnout and deprive eligible members of a reasonable opportunity to participate in the electoral process.
He said the Ittihad Group was prepared to bear the entire cost of establishing additional polling stations if financial constraints were the main obstacle.
The group urged the DGTO to restore its earlier decision allowing polling in Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi to facilitate wider participation by association members.
It also demanded that all eligible members be included in the electoral rolls and called for scrutiny of alleged attempts to manipulate the voting process.
The Ittihad Group further requested the appointment of independent observers to monitor the elections and ensure transparency, fairness and credibility.
The allegations of forgery and electoral manipulation remain claims made by the Ittihad Group. The statement did not include a response from the Awaz Group or independent confirmation of the alleged irregularities.
