Objections raised to Bilawal, Maryam, Imran's papers

PTI counsel requests time till Thursday to address RO queries

LAHORE:

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Chief Organiser Maryam Nawaz faced objections to their nomination papers in Lahore on Wednesday.

The objections surfaced during the third day of scrutiny by the relevant returning officers (ROs) across the country. The process, integral to ensuring the integrity of the electoral system, involved the approval or rejection of nomination papers based on adherence to legal and procedural requirements.

Imran Khan's nomination paper for NA-122 Lahore became a focal point of contention. Mian Naseer, a contestant from PML-N, challenged Imran's candidacy, citing multiple concerns. Naseer alleged that Imran had been convicted in the Toshakhana case, a matter that raised questions about his eligibility to run for office. Furthermore, Naseer argued that the nomination papers were not properly attested by the jail superintendent, a procedural requirement.

Tensions flared in the RO's room as arguments escalated between the legal representatives of both parties. Naseer's claim extended to the assertion that Imran's seconder did not hail from the constituency of NA-122.

Imran's counsel responded by requesting the RO to dismiss the objections as non-maintainable, contending that both the proposers and seconders were residents of the same constituency from which Imran was contesting. This underscored the importance of local representation in supporting a candidate's nomination.

Naseer's counsel, however, emphasized the legal requirement for both the proposer and seconder to be residents of the candidate's constituency. This principle, rooted in the democratic process, ensures a direct connection between candidates and the communities they seek to represent.

Amidst the legal wrangling, Naseer pointed out that Imran had previously been convicted by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for five years. This fact, he argued, raised serious questions about Imran's eligibility to file nomination papers.

The PTI counsel responded by bringing attention to a pending application against Imran's disqualification before the Lahore High Court. The RO sought detailed arguments from the PTI, scheduling further proceedings for the following day.

Separately, objections were raised against Bilawal Bhutto's nomination for NA-127. Muhammad Ayaz, a Lahore resident, filed the objection, asserting that Bilawal had expressed affiliation with the Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) in his papers, while he held the position of chairman of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). This raised concerns about the accuracy of the information provided in the nomination papers, prompting the RO to schedule a detailed scrutiny of Bilawal's candidacy.

In another constituency, PP-80, objections were filed against Maryam Nawaz's nomination papers. Two lawyers alleged that the signatures on her nomination papers were not genuine, casting doubt on the authenticity of the support garnered by the PML-N leader.

The scrutiny process unfolded against the backdrop of a broader electoral landscape, where each objection and approval played a crucial role in shaping the composition of candidates for the upcoming elections. As the political contest intensified, legal intricacies and procedural requirements took center stage, underscoring the significance of a thorough and transparent scrutiny process to uphold the democratic ideals of the electoral system.
(WITH INPUT FROM APP)