Former minister criticizes use of government offices in voters re-registration process

Former Housing Minister Mohamed Aslam has criticized the Elections Commission for using government offices in the voters’ re-registration process.

Speaking on RaajjeTV’s Fala Surukhee programme on Saturday night, Aslam highlighted that this is something that has never been done before, and added that this had led to the public questioning the Commission’s independence and integrity.

He noted that following the opposition’s criticism for the use of government offices ‘the Commission had taken responsibility for this’.

Furthermore, noting that the country’s voter turnout has always been satisfactory, the former minister said that he does not understand the Commission’s fear that people will not come out to vote.

He further highlighted that a leaked video proves that the forms taken from government offices were not taken to the Elections Commission, rather to a certain madam’s headquarters to be ‘analyzed’ before being sent to the Commission.

He added that ‘it is clear what kind of analysis was done’.

In addition, Aslam noted that a number of individuals that had submitted their re-registration forms at government offices ‘had to resubmit it again, on their own or through opposition parties’.

“Elections Commission have used government offices in this. This is not right. So, there is room to question its integrity,” he added.