Appeals against Kamal’s nomination turned down

Ex-CM has been contesting elections on provincial and National Assembly seats in Lasbela and Hub districts

QUETTA:

The Election Tribunal on Saturday dismissed the fifth appeal challenging the nomination papers of former Balochistan chief minister Jam Kamal Khan.

Balochistan High Court’s Justice Muhammad Hashim Kakar, heading the Election Tribunal, dismissed the fifth appeal challenging the approval of the nomination papers. So far the Election Tribunal has allowed more than 200 candidates in Balochistan to contest the upcoming general elections scheduled for Feb 8. On the sixth day, the Election Tribunal convened at the BHC where 17 appeals were heard.

Among those, the nomination papers of three candidates were approved, permitting them to participate in the upcoming elections. Notably, the judge upheld the decision of the returning officer, thereby allowing Kamal to contest the elections as a candidate.

The former CM has been contesting elections on a provincial and National Assembly seat in Lasbela and Hub districts of Balochistan.

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A noteworthy point raised during the hearing was brought up by Kamal’s lawyer, who highlighted that the term of Kamal’s iqama had expired in 2018.

Despite this argument, the tribunal ruled in favour of Kamal, emphasising the validity of his nomination.

Meanwhile, the hearing on the appeals of Akhtar Mengal for contesting on three seats – two National Assembly and one provincial assembly – has been adjourned until Jan 8. Mengal was earlier allowed to contest polls on one National Assembly seat.

Further, objections have been raised concerning the iqama status of two former chief ministers.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 7^th, 2024.