ECP refuses to accept estranged PML-N MPA’s resignation

Reserves verdict on PP-167 Lahore unrest case

ISLAMABAD:

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday refused to accept the resignation of estranged PML-N MPA Faisal Niazi and issued a notice to Punjab Assembly secretary, seeking a reply and record of the resignation.

Niazi had recently tendered his resignation, while PML-N MPA Jalil Sharqpuri also resigned on Saturday night, which reduced the ruling coalition tally to 175 from 177 in the Punjab Assembly.

The two MPAs were part of a group of five who had, according to the PML-N, “defected” and their party membership had been revoked.

During the hearing, ECP’s special secretary said that the election supervisor received Niazi’s resignation on July 16.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja remarked that according to the notification, the resignation had been accepted on May 22. He said acceptance of the resignation on May 22 was not possible.

The CEC said he felt the process to accept resignation was mala fide, adding that if the resignation was valid, it should have been approved and sent to the ECP.

He said the commission was bound to hold elections in two months and that the said time period from May had lapsed.

ECP DG Law maintained that action should be taken against the speaker for accepting and sending the resignation on previous dates.

He said Niazi’s resignation acceptance notification was of July 7, adding that the case looked doubtful.

The ECP issued a notice to Punjab Assembly secretary, seeking a reply and record of the resignation and adjourned the hearing of the case till July 26.

Separately, the electoral watchdog reserved verdict on a case pertaining to unrest during by-polls in Punjab Assembly constituency PP-167 Lahore.

A three-member bench of the ECP headed by the CEC heard the case pertaining to armed clash and firing in PP-167.

PTI’s candidate Shabbir Gujar appeared before the electoral watchdog along with the inquiry committee and CCPO Lahore report.

PML-N’s candidate Nazir Chohan’s counsel Khalid Ishaque requested the election supervisor to hold the results of the constituency and investigate the matter. He said whoever was guilty should be brought to justice.

Gujar’s Assistant Advocate Kashifa Niaz raised objection on the report saying it had been prepared by the police, which was “with the Punjab government”.

On being asked by the CEC, Gujar said that the by-poll process went well and that the returning officer had given them relief. He requested the CEC to grant him relief as well.

After listening to both the parties, the ECP reserved verdict on the case.