The Nawa-e-Asatiza Punjab's chairman and founder of Reforms Movement has approached the Supreme Court of Pakistan to seek the apex court's directives to stop rigging in upcoming general elections of 2018. The petitioner Professor Mohsin Raza Joiya also sought directives to ensure reforms including proper security, staff and safety of female presiding officers.
He contended that after 2013 general elections, results of various constituencies were declared null and void due to rigging but no responsibility was fixed. He pointed out that all elections held in the past were not accepted by all the political parties and democratic system always remained in danger. He stated that no facility has ever been provided to the presiding officer and the polling staff for boarding of the election material such as ballot boxes.
He further pointed out that keeping election material intact for a presiding officer remains risky as the staff is not provided security. He also said that a polling station is the basic unit for the process of election which should be made fully safe. He asked the court to direct the ECP to check rigging that how it happened in the past and how it could be stopped in future. He also prayed the court to ensure safety and protection of the polling staff and direct the ECP to appoint female staff within 15 kilometre radium from their residence.