ECP summons Gilani in Senate case

The Election Commission of Pakistan has issued a notice to former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, summoning him on March 22 in the Senate disqualification case.

The PPP leader — the joint candidate of opposition parties — was elected senator from Islamabad after defeating Abdul Hafeez Shaikh of the ruling party. The election was challenged with the ECP on behalf of petitioner Advocate Azhar Siddiq.

The petition stated that the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) candidate’s win should be declared null and void as the polls were not transparent. It added that rigging in elections was a crime and it should be investigated. It further highlighted that the latest technology was not used in the polls despite the directions of the Supreme Court in this regard.

IHC rejects PTI's plea against Gilani's Senate election victory

The plea further asked the electoral authority to investigate horse-trading in the polls and take action against those responsible. It also sought action against PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz and Gilani’s son, Ali Haider Gilani, over allegations of rigging. According to the petitioner, Haider’s video and Maryam’s statement were evidence of rigging.

The ECP, the plea added, should have a case registered against the two over the violation of Section 167, 168, and 170 of the Election Act. In a major upset in the Senate elections held on March 3, PDM’s Gilani defeated PTI candidate Hafeez Shaikh by five votes.