ECP swarmed by politics, politicians

PTI thrilled after Imran’s paper accepted for NA-131

LAHORE: Following Eidul Fitr holidays, a huge rush of candidates and workers of different political parties was witnessed at the Provincial Election Commission office on last day of the scrutiny of nomination papers on Tuesday.

Emotionally charged and politically motivated workers, especially from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), kept chanting slogans outside courtrooms in favour of their leadership.

PTI workers celebrated the most when returning officer Muhammad Akhtar Bhangoo announced that all allegations levelled against PTI Chairman Imran Khan had been rejected and his nomination papers were accepted to contest polls from the National Assembly Constituency (NA-131). As soon as the RO announced his verdict, PTI workers started chanting slogans outside the courtroom.

Speaking to the media, PTI senior leader Omar Sarfaraz Cheema highlighted that the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) had earlier given a “certificate of truthfulness and honesty” to Khan. He added the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) endorsed the same by rejecting false allegations against the PTI chief. He said it was a moment of pride for the entire nation that, despite all efforts, opponents failed to prove a single allegation against Khan before the RO.



Former CJP Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry’s Pakistan Justice and Democratic Party (PJDP) challenged Khan’s nomination papers by stating that the PTI chief did not disclose that he had a daughter as a result of his relations with Ana-Luisa (Sita) White. The PJDP has pleaded that the ECP reject Khan’s nomination papers as he was “not a truthful person”.

Responding to the allegation, Cheema underlined it was false propaganda against the PTI chairman and his rivals could not gain any benefit from this baseless allegation which had been doing the rounds for 22 years. “The entire nation is committed to bringing change and developing a new Pakistan under the leadership of Khan,” he maintained.

Meanwhile, Khan’s counsel told the media that there was nothing substantial in the petitions filed against his client. After hearing the arguments of both sides, the returning officer rejected the allegations and allowed Khan to contest elections from NA-131.

Besides the electoral body’s offices, electioneering of all political parties gained momentum in every nook and cranny of the city. During the holy month of Ramazan, election campaigns had not reached their peak, but candidates continued their public contact drives through Iftar parties and workers’ conventions.



Now, after Eidul Fitr, different political parties have already started hosting Eid Millan parties just to mobilise their workers and enhance public interaction. PML-N candidates are trying to showcase their work and development projects which they completed during their tenure in Punjab. In the meanwhile, the opposition is expressing solidarity with citizens who were highlighting chronic issues of clean drinking water and sewerage.

PTI senior leader and NA-133 candidate Ejaz Ahmad Chaudhry participated in a similar protest against the blockage of the sewerage system in Baba Farid Colony (UC 224). Along with angry residents, he chanted slogans against the outgoing government and assured them after coming into power, the PTI will solve all such petty issues on a priority basis. He also met with Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) high-ups and raised the issue. To this, WASA assured that the sewerage line will be fixed in five days’ time.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 20^th, 2018.