PESHAWAR: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Sunday termed the allegations of rigging in the Nov 23 by-election `baseless`, as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi ordered a `comprehensive investigation` into irregularities in the NA-18 Haripur by-election.

Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Information and Public Relations Shafi Jan announced the provincial government`s decision to initiate a formal inquiry into the Nov 23 by-polls following accusations of rigging.

Mr Jan said the chief minister has authorised the party to probe all administrative tiers and officials, including the deputy commissioner.

`Any official found involved will face strict disciplinary action,` Jan said in a statement issued on Sunday. He added that while the provincial government was confident its officers were not part of any wrongdoing, the inquiry was necessary to ensure `complete transparency`.

The provincial government issending areference regarding the alleged rigging to the election commission and is currently recording statements and affidavits from presiding officers.

ECP terms allegations `baseless` Meanwhile, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) issued a statement insisting that certain elements were levelling `baseless` allegations to generate controversy around the recent by-elections.

The commission called the accusations a conspiracy, particularly claims targeting the appointment of District Returning Officers (DRO) and Returning Officers (RO) in NA-18 Haripur.

According to a statement, the ECP declared the rigging allegations `completely contrary to the facts` Due to staff shortages during general elections, the ECP noted it could not depute its own officials as DROs and ROs. However, for the by-elections, the commission utilised its own staff, a move it defended as `completely legal authority` under the Elections Act 2017.

The commission pointed outthat these appointments occurred well before polling day. `No objection was raised in the instant case from any side till the election day and these allegations were being made after facing defeat in the election,` the ECP stated.

Addressing specific claims, the commission dismissed the allegation that Form 45 was prepared in advance. The ECP noted that all presiding officers and support staff were drawn from the provincial administration.

`If the Election Commission wanted, it could have appointed employees of federal institutions posted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as the presiding officers, but this was not done,` the statement read.

The commission emphasised that polling bags and results were submitted by provincial administration staff, and security was provided by the provincial government.

The ECP asserted that the intent behind the allegations was to make the election process suspicious, adding that the Election Tribunal was the proper forum for such disputes rather than the media.