Question of representation: Baldev Kumar likely to get seat in assembly

Appointment of new members in ECP could pave way for suspected murderer

PESHAWAR: Baldev Kumar, suspected murderer of slain MPA Sardar Soran Singh, has got a chance to take the empty berth left by his supposed victim. Reports suggest the appointment of new members in the election commission has paved the way for the suspect.

The Election Commission of Pakistan has also asked for the progress made in Baldev’s case from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa IGP Nasir Khan Durrani. The case was later transferred to the anti-terrorism court in Buner.

Baldev submitted a bail application to the anti-terrorism court in Buner, but it was rejected. However, later, he submitted a bail application to the Peshawar High Court, the hearing of which would be held on August 16.

“If PHC accepts his bail, then the matter would be presented to ECP,” Election Commission of Pakistan K-P Deputy Director Khushal Zada told The Express Tribune. “Then the commission will decide.”

He added until a court declared Baldev a convict, no one can take his name out from the priority list. As per the rules, if the court accepts his bail, the election commission will be bound to announce his name for the assembly seat.

Khushal added if the provincial government does not want to see him on Soran Singh’s berth, then it should go to court and get a stay order.

“If political parties are given the authority to change their priority list, only then can this problem be solved,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 10^th, 2016.