Out-of-turn memberships: Lahore Gymkhana elections finally on track

LAHORE: After being postponed three times, the elections of the Lahore Gymkhana have finally got the green signal as the court of a civil judge did not extend its earlier stay order.

Initially, the elections were to take place on January 25 but were rescheduled for February 8. The polls have already been rescheduled from February 8 to March 7.

On February 6, Civil Judge Muhammad Tahir Ghani had stopped the elections over the issue of out-of-turn memberships by issuing a stay order till February 10. “This order would be deemed vacated if not specifically extended on the next date of hearing,” the order stated.

On Friday, the judge did not extend the stay and instead put off the hearing for Saturday for arguments on an application of 12-member group of Kamran Lashari to become party in the case filed by Muhammad Aslam Chaudhry, a club member.

The judge was, however, on leave on Saturday and the hearing was fixed for Monday (tomorrow).

It is learnt the elections were rescheduled due to the failure of Mian Misbahur Rehman to complete his panel to contest against Kamran Lashari.

After rescheduling the elections, candidates are required to file their nomination papers afresh between February 11 and 14. The eligible candidates can withdraw their nominations by February 24. The election commission will display the final list of candidates on the same day.

There are around 5,480 club members who will exercise their right to vote. The elected 12 members of the CoM elect a chairman among themselves.

Anyone who has completed five years as a permanent member is eligible for election and can serve on the CoM for three consecutive terms.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 12^th, 2017.