Bilawal criticizes PML-N for 'pre-poll rigging' in Pakistan Kashmir

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has condemned the federal government for what he calls, carrying out 'pre-poll rigging', in

Pakistan-administered Kashmir ahead of general elections.

"By selectively doling out development funds to candidates belonging only to the PML-N, the federal government has resorted to the worst form of pre-poll rigging which must not be allowed," Dawn quoted his statement issued here as saying.

"The Pakistan People's Party condemns this devious scheme to manipulate elections and demands this illegal practice to be stopped immediately," he said.

Bilawal asserted that announcing development projects at this point and doling out funds to the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) candidates was equal to buying votes.

Bilawal pressed that announcing development projects at this point and doling out funds to PML-N candidates was equal to buying votes and he was shocked by tricky methods adopted by the federal government to manipulate elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir

"Distributing the Kashmir Council funds among favourites is an insult to the mandate of the people..There also are disturbing reports that non-Kashmiri Pakistani citizens living elsewhere in the country have been registered as voters in various constituencies in connivance with some federal government agencies," he said.

He said that adding new voters in the lists sent by Azad Kashmir Election Commission was not in the domain of Nadra and warned that his party would not permit any gerrymandering in elections.