PTI announces candidate for PS-114 by-election

Chaudhary Omair selected because of eight-year-long affiliation with party


Our Correspondent May 30, 2017
60% of the people in the country do not vote, according to Firdous Shamim Naqvi of PTI. PHOTO: EXPRESS

KARACHI: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced its candidate for the by-election on the constituency of PS-114.

PTI Karachi President Firdous Shamim Naqvi, along with MPA Khurram Sher Zaman, announced the name of the candidate during a press conference on Monday at Insaf House.

Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz's candidate Irfanullah Marwat won the seat in the general elections of 2013 but his victory was declared void by the election tribunal in July, 2014.

However, on May 11 the Supreme Court dismissed Marwat's appeal challenging the election tribunal's decision.

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During the previous general elections, he won the PS-114 seat that encompasses Mehmoodabad, Akhtar Colony, Kashmir Colony, Chanesar Goth, Defence View and Manzoor Colony areas. However, the runner-up, Muttahida Qaumi Movement candidate Rauf Siddiqui, challenged his victory in the election tribunal, alleging that the polls were rigged.

Naqvi announced on Monday that they have selected their party worker and district vice-president Chaudhary Omair, 31, as their candidate for the by-elections.

Omair holds a bachelors degree and runs his own business, Naqvi said, adding that the party has chosen Omair because of his affiliation with the party since 2009 and also because he is young.

Omair's family has resided in the Akhtar Colony area of the constituency for the past 55 years so he is well-recognised there and also involved in welfare work, Naqvi said.

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Meanwhile, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has nominated Senator Saeed Ghani as their candidate while Marwat has decided to file a review petition against the Supreme Court's decision to disqualify him and conduct by-polls in the constituency.

We are observing that the pre-poll rigging has already started and not only is PPP's Ghani visiting the areas, but other ministers as well, said Naqvi.

He pointed out the Election Commission of Pakistan should also check that there are transfer and postings being done for this election, which is against the electoral rules. He urged voters to come out and said that 60% of the people in the country do not vote, whereas in a country like Turkey, the voter turnout is 80%.

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It is due to the people's lack of trust in democracy that the turnout in local bodies' elections in December was just 22%, as the rulers have maligned democracy, he accused.

 

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