Lawyers challenge LHCBA election results

LAHORE:

A controversy over the results of the recent elections of the Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) has intensified, with the Independent Group (Asma Jahangir Group) rejecting the outcome of the February 28 polls and demanding a transparent re-election after a thorough investigation.

Addressing a press conference at the Pakistan Bar Council office in Lahore, presidential candidate Raja Aamir Khan accused the Professional Group, led by Hamid Khan, of serious irregularities during the polling process.

He alleged that although polling was scheduled to continue until 5pm, the voting process was closed nearly two hours earlier and a computerised result was subsequently issued. He claimed that the announced cabinet did not truly represent the lawyers and described it as a "computer-generated cabinet."

Senior leader of the Independent Group, Munir Ahmed Khan, demanded that the Punjab Bar Council suspend the existing cabinet and appoint a caretaker setup to manage the association's affairs until fresh elections are held.

He also called for a forensic audit of the election process and examination of CCTV footage recorded on the day of polling.

Vice-presidential candidate Haseeb Bin Yousaf raised questions about the voting figures, stating that turnout remained low until noon but nearly 9,000 votes were reportedly cast within a few hours, which he termed suspicious.

He also pointed to technical issues with the biometric machines used during the election. Finance secretary candidate Nida Noor said that the announcement of results before the official closing time of polling was a clear violation of election rules.

She stressed that a transparent inquiry should be conducted and fresh elections held to ensure fairness and credibility in the bar association's electoral process.