ECP reserves decision in two election rigging cases

Adjourns hearing of three cases till Feb 27

ISLAMABAD:

The Election Commission of Pakistan on Tuesday reserved its decision in two cases regarding rigging in the Feb 8 general elections and postponed the hearing of three cases till Feb 27, seeking reports from the returning officers.

A two-member bench of the ECP comprising Nisar Durrani and Justice (retd) Ikramullah heard the application of Ayaz Ameer from NA-58 Chakwal.

Ameer contested before the bench that the returning officer’s report was wrong as Form-49 was prepared in his absence.

“I am not objecting to Form-45, but to forms 47 and 49,” the petitioner said.

The ECP member remarked that no petitioner challenged Form-48.

The Election Commission then reserved its decision on the case.

The bench also heard the application of Jam Younis from PP-268 Muzaffargarh. After hearing the plea, the ECP reserved its decision.

Meanwhile, a two-member bench, headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, heard the petition of Alia Hamza from NA-118 Lahore.

Alia’s lawyer Raja Aamir Abbas submitted a letter of attorney, requesting that he be given a date to present his arguments. The Election Commission adjourned the hearing till Feb 27.

Similarly, the bench took up Yasmin Rashid’s plea against rigging in NA-130 Lahore constituency.
The bench sought a report from the returning officer and adjourned the hearing till Feb 27.

Further, the bench heard the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam candidate's petition against the success of Sadiq Sanjrani from PB-32 Chagai.

The Election Commission adjourned the hearing till February 27, instructing Sanjrani's lawyer to present arguments at the next hearing.

The two-member bench also heard the petition of Ahsan Abbas from PP-48 Sialkot.

The petitioner took the stand that according to Form-45, he was winning by 8,000 votes.

The Election Commission adjourned the hearing after seeking a report from the returning officer.