ISLAMABAD: The Free and Fair Election Network (Fafen) said on Friday that last-minute changes or merger of some polling stations by returning officers led to erroneous conclusions that more than 100 per cent votes were cast in some polling stations.

Speaking at press conference at the National Press Club, Fafen representative Sarwar Bari said the confusion had been created by returning officers who just 24-30 hours before holding of elections changed the status of several polling stations — either merging them or shifting some of the polling booths. This led to release of the list of some polling stations showing 100 per cent turnout. He also apologised to media over the matter.

Later, Fafen retracted its statement and clarified that it was the result of some confusion.

Mr Bari also expressed concern over registration of cases against Fafen CEO Mudassar Rizvi and threats hurled against him by some politicians.

“We have evidence in the form of SMS and even a threatening call has been received from Ayaz Sadiq, the PML-N leader who won from NA-122,” said Mr Bari.

Ayaz Sadiq beat Imran Khan, the PTI chief, in the Lahore constituency.

“The caller from the personal number of Ayaz Sadiq, the MNA-elect, told Mudassar Rizvi that he would not be allowed to live in Pakistan.”

Flanked by social activist Marvi Sirmed and others, Mr Bari said that due to threats Muddassar Rizvi had been forced to reduce his public interaction.

“But this does not mean that we can be cowed down by such acts. We only want to take precautions to protect his life,” he said.

The NA-122 is included in the list of 40 National Assembly constituencies where Fafen had reported more than 100 per cent voter turnout or vote rigging.

Ms Marvi Sirmed said that it was being claimed now that the change or merging of polling stations had been carried out after consultations with Fafen or other NGOs, but this was not true.

“The number of registered voters got increased at polling stations as they were merged or altered, but the ECP documents, including its website, had the original registered vote count.”

She said that it took time for observers to understand the flaw and the list was withdrawn when the situation became clear.

Mr Bari said that the same problem had been reported from many areas where the 8300 service was unable to guide voters to their polling stations.

“This is because the ECP had original data that was being provided by mobile companies through Nadra, but ROs had changed the location,” Mr Bari said.

He said that to cover up their faults, returning officers had got 16 cases registered against Mudassar Rizvi.

“We have come across reports that ballot papers were found on streets. Some footage have also been shown by some TV channels as the evidence, but no FIR has been registered against any officer concerned and no action has been taken against them.

“What did Muddasar do — highlighted a flaw and when it was cleared, he ordered the list to be withdrawn.”

Fafen representatives also said that a majority of returning officers added to the confusion by not pasting a copy of the Form XIV outside the polling station after results had been announced.

The Form XIV contains details of the number of votes cast at a polling station and obtained by each candidate in that particular polling station.

The Fafen representatives said that the confusion could be reduced if the number of registered voters in each polling station was also written in the Form XIV.