Despite the cold, most members were enthusiastic. Supporters lined the passage from the parking lot to the polling booth. PHOTO: APP/FILE
LAHORE: After getting postponed twice within past five weeks, the elections for the management committee of Lahore Gymkhana are to be held today (Tuesday). Thirty-nine candidates are in the run for the 12 seats up for grabs.
Other than 24 members from two panels, for the first time 15 independent candidates are contesting the polls. The polling will continue from 9am till 5pm.
The elections were initially announced for January 28 but later rescheduled for February 8. The elections were once again rescheduled for March 7.
Total voters at the gymkhana are 5,480 but according to the previous counts, not more than 50% of them participate in the elections. The 12 elected members of the CoM elect one among themselves as the chairman.
The gymkhana affairs are conducted through the CoM. Any member who has completed five years as a permanent member is eligible to run for elections and can serve on the CoM for three consecutive terms.
In order to conduct the affairs of the club, the CoM makes rules, sub-rules or by-laws consistent with the memorandum and articles of association of Lahore Gymkhana.
The two panels in the running are led by Mian Misbahur Rehman, the incumbent CoM chairman, and Kamran Lashari. Rehman’s panel comprises Sarmad Nadeem, Mian Pervez Bhandara, Agha Ali Imam, Pervez Bashir Agha, Karamullah Chaudhry, Zahid Nabi Malik, Shafqat Rana, Tariq Hameed, Amir Iftikhar, Javed Oberoy and Khawaja Suhaial Iftikhar.
Other than Kamran, his panel comprises Shaukat Javed, Samiur Rehman, Khawaja Imran Zubair, Ahsan Saeed Mian, Sameera Maroof, Dr Jawad, Dr Ali Razzaq, Dr Atif Kazmi, Moeen, Javed Zahoor and Khalid Rafique.
Aamir Waheed Chaudhry is prominent among the 15 independent candidates. Ten members of Misbah’s group were elected in the previous elections and are contesting again while two members of the Kamran Lashari group were elected in the last polls and are participating again.
The gymkhana elections have become controversial after being postponed twice and then the matter getting dragged in court, which also issued a stay order against the elections but later vacated it.
The elections are taking place after three years like the previous elections. Previously the elections used to be held on yearly basis.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 7th, 2017.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ