SHC reserves decision on PTI’s plea against poll results

Counsel says PTI candidates were declared unsuccessful in UCs despite getting higher votes

KARACHI:

The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Thursday reserved its decision on the petition of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) against the results of three UCs of Baldia Town.

A two-member bench headed by Chief Justice Ahmed Ali Sheikh heard the petitions. Counsel for the petitioners submitted that the results of UC 4, 5 and 8 were changed.

The counsel said that the PTI candidates were declared unsuccessful in UCs despite getting higher votes.

The counsel submitted that they have won in Baldia as per Form XI. Notification of alleged win of the opposing candidates should be revoked.

The court reserved its decision on all three petitions.

Meanwhile, a hearing was held on the request of Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Ghulam Mustafa from Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town UC 7 regarding re-polling in the local body elections in front of the same bench.

The court remarked that you have the forum of the tribunal.

The petitioner's counsel submitted that the tribunal has not yet been constituted. Polling agents caught supporters of the PPP candidate casting fake votes. Re-polling should be ordered at MD School and Shah Latif School polling stations.

The chief justice remarked that you should take your application to the competent authority. The court rejected the request.

The petition of PTI candidate Shamshad against the results of UC 1 Korangi Town was heard before the same bench.

The petitioner's counsel submitted that there were clear errors in the results issued. As per Form 11 issued by the presiding officer, Shamshad Khan had won but we were declared unsuccessful despite leading by 457 votes.

The court remarked that the matter is related to the election. Therefore, the election tribunal should hear it.

Counsel for the petitioner submitted that it is a matter of counting of votes but the election commission is not entertaining our requests. The election commission should be instructed to play its role according to the law.

The court reserved its decision after hearing the petitioner's counsel.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 20^th, 2023.