Former Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chattha has recorded his statement regarding his charges of rigging in the recent elections, according to electoral commission officials.
The investigative committee, chaired by ECP Sindh member Nisar Durrani, served a notice to Chattha Wednesday, prompting him to respond to the allegations.
The investigative team, directed by Nisar Durrani, has been entrusted with looking into Liaquat Chattha’s charges of electoral irregularities from last week.
At this point, no details about the content of Chattha’s statement have been disclosed. However, his collaboration with the inquiry committee demonstrates his readiness to address and clarify any concerns about the integrity of electoral procedures.
On February 17, Liaquat Ali Chattha resigned from his position amid a flurry of stunning revelations regarding electoral misconduct. In a series of dramatic statements, Chattha expressed remorse for his actions, citing shame and a desire for atonement.
Chattha expressed regret and remorse, saying he is ashamed of his behavior and believes he should face harsh consequences for the alleged misconduct.
He was heard on tape indicating that he had been assigned to election duty but was ashamed of his obligations. “I should be given the death penalty for the crime I have committed,” he tells me.
He said that presiding officers were crying in front of him and that he had handed himself to the police. He further said that he attempted suicide following the Fajar prayers because he did not want the 1971 episode to happen again.
“I am removing the burden of my own conscience,” Chattha stated.
On February 19, the ECP’s high-level investigation committee began looking into the charges made by Chattha. According to sources familiar with the situation, the committee took the initiative and contacted the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to obtain the transcript of Chattha’s recent news conference.
On the other hand, six district returning officers (ROs) from Rawalpindi Division have already submitted written declarations explicitly rejecting the former commissioner’s accusations.
