Candidates win tribunal’s nod

Balochistan tribunal overturns over a dozen rejected nominations

QUETTA:

The Balochistan Election Tribunal granted permission to more than a dozen candidates, whose nomination papers were initially rejected by returning officers, to participate in the upcoming general elections.

With over 100 appeals filed, the Election Tribunal in Balochistan, led by senior judges of the Balochistan High Court, Justice Muhammad Hashim Khan Kakar, and Justice Amir Nawaz Rana, reviewed and decided on these cases.

Similar to other regions in the country, returning officers across Balochistan had dismissed the nomination papers of numerous candidates on various grounds, notably for outstanding utility bill payments.

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In response, the tribunal accepted seven appeals challenging the rejection of nomination papers, rectifying objections, and granting the applicants the opportunity to partake in the elections. Among those permitted were Abdul Khaliq Hazara (Chairman of Hazara Democratic Party), Tahir Mehmood Khan (PPP), Ahmed Nawaz Baloch (BNP), Mehmood Khan Sherani, Mufti Gulab (JUI-F), Zakir Hussain Kasi, and Muhammad Hussain.

The rejected nomination papers also included prominent figures such as Sardar Akhtar Mengal (BNP chief), Khushal Khan Kakar (Chief of Pakhtunkhwa National Party), and Nawab Ayaz Khan Jogezai (Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party). While Sardar Akhtar Mengal had announced plans to legally challenge the rejection, as of now, he has not officially contested the decision before the election tribunal in Balochistan.

The Balochistan High Court premises witnessed a significant presence of supporters from various political parties eagerly awaiting the tribunal’s decisions on the nomination papers. The Quetta administration had implemented stringent security measures to prevent any untoward incidents during the hearing of these cases, underscoring the importance of a secure and orderly legal process in the electoral proceedings.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 4^th, 2024.