Protest escalates in PoK over rigged election

Neelam Valley (PoK), July 29 : Extremely enraged with the rigged July 21 election which witnessed the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) emerge victorious in 32 out of 41 seats, the locals in Neelum valley in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) on Friday took to the streets to vent their ire against the ruling establishment.

The protestors had to face the police wrath as they burnt Pakistani flag and raised slogans against the government.

Besides blackening election posters, the protestors also burnt tyres, blocked traffic and clashed with the police personnel deployed on duty.

Widespread protests have been witnessed in the major PoK towns, including Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Chinari and Mirpur, after members of the PML (N) killed a supporter of the Muslim Conference (MC) in Muzaffarabad.

Locals allege that the elections in PoK are always fixed in favour of the ruling party in Pakistan, in current instance, for the PML-N.

The PML-N bagged 31 out of the 41 seats up for grabs, while the Muslim Conference and Pakistan People's Party bagged three seats each.

The political parties have questioned the authenticity of the elections. They say public money has been wasted as the so-called democratic process was fraught with corrupt practices.

The Pakistan Human Rights Group has confirmed the allegations of corrupt practices, involving money and muscle power.

Source: ANI