Elections: Musharraf's nomination papers rejected

Objections stated Musharraf does not meet criteria established in Article 62 and 63.


Reuters/web Desk April 05, 2013
File photo of former president Pervez Musharraf. PHOTO: FILE

KASUR: Former president Pervez Musharraf’s nomination papers for NA-139 were rejected by the returning officer of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday, Express News reported.

His papers were rejected following six objections made by advocate Javed Kasuri.

One of the objections stated that the ex-general does not meet the criteria established in Article 62 and 63 of the constitution.

After hearing arguments, the returning officer declared Musharraf ineligible to contest the elections from NA-139.

The former president will be able to appeal the decision.

Musharraf had submitted his nomination papers from the constituency NA-139 Kasur and was planning to contest elections from other constituencies including Karachi, Islamabad and Chitral.

The Election Commission barred Musharraf from the polls in Kasur in Punjab province because of court cases against him, commission officials said. He could also face disqualification in the three other constituencies where he plans to run.

The officials, who declined to be identified, also said the decision was based on a clause in the constitution which requires candidates to be of good character and the fact that he had not declared all of his assets.

"Musharraf has been disqualified under articles 62 and 63 of the constitution, among other reasons," an election commission official.

Objections

Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) challenged Musharraf’s nomination papers for NA-32 constituency in Chitral.

In an application filed to the returning officer, the parties raised nine points which could disqualify Musharraf from the contesting from the constituency.

They prayed that Musharraf was not eligible to contest elections under Article 5, 6, 62, 63, and 42 of Constitution of Pakistan.

Objections were also raised by other parties on Musharraf’s nomination papers filed for NA-48 constituency in Islamabad. The returning officer of the constituency summoned Musharraf on April 7 to present arguments against the objections.

PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal also filed an application in the ECP, earlier the same day, against Musharraf.

Musharraf violated the constitution of Pakistan several times, alleged Iqbal.

He requested the ECP to reject Musharraf’s papers and to disqualify him from contesting the upcoming general elections.

Supreme Court case

The Supreme Court has approved an application requesting action against Musharraf under Article 6 of the constitution.

The application stated that Musharraf is a traitor.

The case against him is based on imposing martial law on October 12, 1999 and enforcing emergency on November 3, 2007.

The hearing will commence on Monday under a three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.

COMMENTS (70)

Anonymous | 10 years ago | Reply

Being honest People Don't know a Single word About Article 62 and 63. Clarify it in your Newspaper to Make it more Visible Picture in People of Pakistan Minds

Foreign Leg | 10 years ago | Reply

@Sameer: It is 2013 and Pakistan is not part of ‘Great Britain’. So one does not have to be knighted in order to be called ‘sir’ . But Pakistan is part of the Commonwealth and only the Queen can knight someone. Unless according to you he is similar to Sir Ravinder Jadeja. Please check his twitter account and see the pics to know more. In my opinion, Sir Jadeja is the greatest "Sir" ever.

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