Her party, however, appeared unconvinced, and expressed concern over the decision.
In its verdict announced on Wednesday, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) imposed a two-year ban on Shah from taking part in elections and nullified the result of a by-poll that took place for a Sindh provincial assembly seat PS-53.
The incident, recorded on camera, took place at a polling station in Tando Mohammad Khan.
The ECP also asked the inspector-general police Sindh to take action against DSP Irfan Shah who was present with the candidate when the incident took place.
Three jury members voted in favour of the verdict, while two opposed it, said Mohammad Afzal Khan, spokesperson for the election commissioner after the announcement of the verdict.
Three commission members from Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan voted in favour while the member from Sindh and the chief election commissioner, Justice (retd) Hamid Ali Mirza voted against it.
Shah has the right to appeal and the order can be challenged in the Supreme Court, an ECP official said.
Support from the party
Support poured in from the party’s provincial leadership and Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah said that PPP voters have expressed concern over the election commission’s decision.
“We have not yet decided what to do about it, but will consult with constitutional expert if the decision can be challenged in the apex court,” he said at a reception in Karachi.
Shah said the government and the party respects institutions, but two different punishments could not be awarded for a single “offence”.
“We will not take a step which challenges the authority of the election [commission],” he said.
The chief minister was seconded by Sindh Minister for Local Bodies Agha Siraj Durrani who said that Shah had “only slapped the staff.”
Even though [Shah’s] actions are wrong, the law should also apply to all other offenders who had used violence in polling stations during elections, Durrani said.
The party leadership in Islamabad, however, was less sympathetic.
“It was a legal issue and the ECP has already awarded punishment to Mrs. Shah,” said PPP information secretary Qamar Zaman Kaira while talking to The Express Tribune.
“The incident is embarrassing for the party and we do not support this attitude,” he added.
Would the party take disciplinary action against her? “Shah was not an office bearer of the party and has already been punished … that [punishment] is enough,” Kaira said.
Shah was contesting for a seat that fell vacant after the death of her husband, Syed Mohsin Shah Bukhari. She was declared the winner in the initial vote-count, with 24,980 votes according to unofficial results, but the ECP withheld the results following the slapping incident.
The Supreme Court took a suo motu notice of the assault on polling staff on February 29. The court refused to accept Shah’s apology and directed the ECP and provincial police chief Sindh to submit their report on next date of hearing - March 12.
Meanwhile, dozens of female PPP supporters in Hyderabad protested against the verdict and staged a sit-in at the Hyderabad-Badin Road, blocking it for two hours. Some voters also held a press conference at the Hyderabad press club in Shah’s favour.
The PPP, on its part, has called for a strike in Shah’s constituency, Tando Muhammad Khan today (Thursday).
(With additional reporting by Hafeez Tunio in Karachi)
Published in The Express Tribune, March 8th, 2012.
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COMMENTS (120)
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Perhaps the Provincial Election Commissioner does not know how the mighty and strong bully government servants.Grateful to the three members who upheld the decision. No comment on the member from Sind, it was expected,
@Pakistan politics: its not up to polling staff to forgive, crime was against the state of Pakistan as the person was an official, they can pardon personally, but crime was a federal offense.
This is why they continue to beat people like you, because you are so ready to forgive them as you consider them your lords and devis and devtas, they are just human, and this woman is a lowlife for hitting that official, in any other country she would be in prison for battery and assault and get 5-10 years in a serious prison.
How dare she hit a government official?
... first rain drop... of change ... Will be followed by downpour ...
.... A Great Defeat for Wadera-ism ... in Sindh.
How much punishment was awarded when PML-N and its goons attacked the SC while in session? They are still Rick and powerful and ruling the majority of Pakistan. Everybody should be treated equally by the courts. The best thing about this decision is she would not be able to contest the next elections, effectively keeping her out for more than 5 years. Even then the electorate can punish her again! The two years ban is appropriate. One cannot be put away for life or killed for slap. The imp thing is after two years there would be no elections, so she is effectively out for five years or more. In addition it is left to the people whether they elect her or reject her after two years. That would be her real punishment, rejection by her voters, and the biggest and neutral jury in the world. It is a good beginning.
The punishment given to Wahida Shah is not commensurate with the crime she committed. She should have been disqualified for ever besides giving her 2 years imprisonment for interferring in the performance of official duties of election officials.. This was very essential to stop such incidents in the coming general elections and to teach a lesson to those who violate law and take law in their own hands and consider themselves above the law of the land. The voters should never vote in her favour in future. Pakistan does not need such arrogant persns in its assemblies.Such persons should be put in the jails instead of sending them to the assemblies.
Don't worry Waheeda Shah you will be soon proven innocent ... This is a toothless vampire. ask Aitzaz or babar awan if you don't believe me.
being someone from Tando Muhammad Khan, I feel ashamed of my friends when they ask me "Do people from your area behave like that with each other?" Thank you Waheeda Shah for creating this image...and a well deserved punishment you got I must say!
2 Years is less, but atleast our ECP took step for this punishment........appreciated.
@ayesha: Please do inform us, the ignorant public, of her good work(s).
So many comments in favor of ECP which is sickening Two ECP office bearers one from Sindh, homeboy, and Chief Election Commissioner voted in favor of the accused. Icing on the cake Chief Minister is not satisfied with the verdict another minster says it was only a slap. God help us
Imagine if it was the other way round...a lowly staff at the poll station slapping her(incocieveable but imagine for a sec)...the person would be rotting in jail now upon immediate action taken by the DSP! Pakistan is twisted in all possible ways!
awesome descison, for those saying thatiti s harsh, no it is not, simply as in order to clean the system from people who have no ethics repsect of law this is the right step. automatically by barring from next election, she is punished adequately. for the election after the next lets wait and watch.
for those saying it is just a slap, this is exactly why we as a nation are where we are, we forgive crimes, slaps, corruptiuon but we dnt forgive freedom of speech , free will etc
Good decision. And we want permenant ban on her to contest the election.
Dear "Pakistan politics"
you say "She deserved a punishment but 2 years ban is too much, polling staff had already forgive her". Don't you realize you have been humiliating the common folks for decades. I know you represent waheeda shah more then us, the common people. The slap was on our faces. Thanks for the Media and the Judiciary for exposing and pressing for the punishment.I feel 2 year punishment is nothing for her.
She should be banned for life and should also be sentenced for physical assault.
The let her go easy... The Sou moto should see that she gets imprisoned for assault. The police office present at that time should be dismissed and prefereably imprisoned too.
This is very common practice in Pakistan. People with even little authority abuse common people. I am surprise she only slap the ladies. She did not have them paraded naked. This is what they are doing with helpless women in our country.
Good news!
Good news! But still more should be from SC............
Same should apply to any MNA/MPA breaking any law including traffic violations.
I fully support the ECP decision. I am wondering why Chief Justice is silent on issue which took yesterday where lawyers tortured a civil judge and locked him room !
Wake CJ we are watching you, do not think people are fools.
An accused person has constitutional right of fair trial which has been denied to Ms Waheeda Shah inasmuch as the Chief Justice of Pakistan had declared that the crime committed by Ms Waheeda Shah, was more heinous than murder of Sarfraz Shah, an unarmed person, who was brutally killed by armed group of Rangers. She was not afforded a proper investigation. No one bothered about possible motive which is very essential part of a fair trial. The victim had pardoned, it was definitely a mitigating ground. The case should have been disposed of by summary trial, she is getting much more than that she might have done.
180 million sleeping people of Pakistan need to be slapped and insulted again and again until they decide to wake up from this deep sleep for 65 years
ECPs' split decision banning Waheeda is academic since the case is with the Supreme court.ECP,perhaps acted under immense pressure from all directions specially general public and media. To draw parallel between murder and slapping is not what is expected from those in power.Remember what happened to the prime minister ,with heavy mandate, when he insulted and sacked a middle aged irrigation officer shown live on television? Divine law takes it's own course. It would be most honourable,and appreciated by voters,if Mrs Waheeda Shah voluntarily retires from politics.
Wader-ism and Jgirdar-ism is the Cancer of Pakistan, and Brutal People Like Waheeda Shah Must be Banned for Life to teach lesson to such Idiots (So-Called Representatives of People). The Decision of ECP is a big slap on the ugly faces of such corrupt and looter elements. Qadam Barhao Chief Justice , Ham Aap K Saath Hn.... Haan, Ham Baaghi Hn, Ham Baaghi Hn.......
@Afghan Karachiti: how much you like to be paid for a slap on your face.
This women should be made an example for others NOT to follow. Only 2 years disqualification? She should be banned from politics for life, made to publicly apologize, made to pay heavy monetary sum or jail term.
The comments being written are mind blowing. In this nation mullahs, generals, rapists and baton clad Lal Masjid women are praised for their murders, assaults, kidnapping and bomb threats but a slap by a politician needs to be made example of.
All hail murderers of pregnant women in Kharotabad!
right decision. shouldn't there be any punishment for threatening and forcing the same presiding officer pardon Waheeda Shah?
She should be banned for life time!!!
PPP Promise roti kapray and makan to the poor of pak what they have given instead is slap slap slap shame on u ppp for what you have done to pak in its current state it is nt economically viable in its current state its bankrupt alot of disinvestment as taken place due to the endeamic corruption of the state inparticular the gop
Well done !! It is a good precedent and let's hope that those who intend to get away with wrong doings would be punished in same way.
"Provincial Minister for Local Government Agha Siraj Durrani said that Waheeda had only slapped people, while so many others in the country get away with killing people." Mr Durrani I wonder what would be your reaction if the victim were your close relative. By the way it needs to be understood that the victim was representing an institution therefore it was important to make an example out of perpetrator.
After this incident, dont be surprised if the liberal, democracy loving party called PPP and its cronies go for a complete ban on media in election. Just like another liberal and enlightened moderate did before them to re-elect himself in uniform.
Good decision by ECP.
@Mirza you try to portray ppp has a civilised party why as nobody condemed her from ppp
should not be eligible for life time
Nice shot by ECP-Carry On
She should be declared ineligible for rest of her life and all others involved in disrespecting humanity.
2 Slaps=2 Years. She must be very happy she slapped only twice. Hope her local residents never ever vote for her.
It is heartning to see justice being done.
A good start, at least...
lets see what the great party does now would they use the muscle power to reinstate her or would they say that she will never be representing the party again.
I was not expecting this decisions of the EC.It provide some relief to those who are advocating that judiciary and its related institutions are independent.One of the good decisions of my 65 years.
Good Step! but two years are not enough!
Well done ECP. 20th amendment to the constitution of Pakistan has rightfully empowered ECP. Long live ECP. Hope coming elections will be free, fair,transparent and impartial under ECP.
Lifetime ban and a minimum 2 year jail would have been more appropriate.
Good and Nice Decision Should be decided some punishment
2 Years! should have been 200Yrs.
the act of this lady was a kind of open terrorism and it was a slap on the pakistani nation who are sleeping .People even do not know that which candidate is suitable .people always chose a corrupt,thief and even a DAKO as their leader . For God sake wake up otherwise it will be very late .
Good decision
The Justice in Pakistan today makes me proud. I hope Waheeda Shah and people like her understands the message, You do the crime You do the time.
This is not enough. She should go to jail for atleast 6 months
guys whats with the negativity?? are we that intuned to criticising that thats our go to for eveything? this is a huge step... an official slapped a worker and ACTUALLY got banned! when has this happened before? This incident, the Maya Khan incident and the uproar over the Shezan ban all show that we are taking steps (although tiny ones) in the right direction. The power of social media perhaps?
I'm soul of Qaied e Azam must be pleased.
only 2 years????
at least a ten year ban, one year behind bars and Rs.1 million compensation to both the officers involved.....
What Waheeda Shah did at the polling station is almost the same as being seen by the two ladies in Sind Assembly. What is the problem with our ladies? The respected lady doing her duty should have practised "saving face". I think this is another theme for making documentary. Punishing her serves her right but at the same time it should have been better that they did'nt call for re-election but should have considered the candidate coming second as the winner.
very good virdict it is the win to law
I want to see the measures that make it impossible for any similar future incident to happen again.Punishing individuals may satisfy our sadistic instincts but doesn't really do the trick. In 2 years time she will be back slapping someonelse, taking good care not to be caught on camera.
An unforgivable act. Should have been banned for life. The SC should send her to Jail so that in future no politician dares to intimidate the Election Staff.
* Waheeda had only slapped people, while so many others in the country get away with killing people. He maintained that Waheeda should be forgiven.*
So According to Provincial Minister She should have killed both of those ladies ?? so she could get away more easily...irony ...
She is banned to contest elections for 2 years! that is not acceptable ..This is disqualification but what is her Punishment? She should have been put behind the bars for 6 month with Rs2 lac for ECP reputation damages and Public apology to the victim.
why she is not in jail?
Good job ECP
She should be banned for life and also thrown behind bar
She should be jailed for assault too.
she should be jailed for at least 2 years.
A slap is not covered under article 62 or 63. Presiding officer , not polling officer has megisterial powers as is being reported
Can't be happier
How much punishment was awarded when PML-N and its goons attacked the SC while in session? They are still rick and powerful and ruling the majority of Pakistan. Everybody should be treated equally by the courts. The best thing about this decision is she would not be able to contest the next elections, effectively keeping her out for more than 5 years. Even then the electorate can punish her again!
@THE: The two years ban is appropriate. One cannot be put away for life or killed for slap. The imp thing is after two years there would be no elections, so she is effectively out for five years or more. In addition it is left to the people whether they elect her or reject her after two years. That would be her real punishment, rejection by her voters, the biggest and neutral jury in the world. It is a good beginning.
Did the assault case get thrown out?
Hello
first of all i would like to say that the election commission has made a wrong decision. the things and reasons are:
WHY DID WAHEEDA SHAH SLAPPED THE PRESIDING OFFICER. She said that there was something going wrong in the electrion?? The was no hearing on the side of Waheeda Shah that a female WHY she slapped another female without no reason. There must be some reason thats why she slapped her.
WHY ONLY WAHEEDA SHAH??? The Presiding officer should also be called and asked what were the reasons that she was slapped by any official person. what did she do or anoyed a person that she got slapped. Waheeda Shah only slapped her ONCE and the media is showing that she slapped her many times .
The election commession should also fired the prisiding officer if they made 2 year banned on Waheeda ShahGood, now ECP must make sure they keep an eye on all national and general election.
There should be life ban on such politician. Very good decision by ECP.
Good decision, but why the heck she is not imprisoned???????
Now let's see how much of a ban those get who attack courts.
That's too much. She only had to pay 'slap money' (just like Devis paid blood money) to the polling officers. Win-win!
Highly appreciated the Great Decision of the Court
@muhammad faraz soomro:
yes,they scream about women's rights when they are infront of foreign media and want to show how liberal and modern they are.but their reality has been completely exposed in this incident.the mentality of the wadera never changes,they always consider everyone else to be inferior to them and to be their slaves.it's sad that ppp id determined to keep its ranks full of ppl who beat up women.ppp needs to better educate its members that beating up women is not acceptable behaviour,it should carry out training sessions for its workers before it is too late.
Highly appreciated the Great Decision of the Court in Pak History. Such elements must be ineligible for contesting elections for ever and also the Police/staff was present there must be suspended/sentence in the best interest of Public Service and Justice.
I think, this is a step in right direction.....even though it's a very small step, but looks like , things are changing, On a different note, after reading the comments from Provincial Minister,... i would say........( some people will never change)., at least he should appreciate the decision and accept the verdict.
"Provincial Minister for Local Government Agha Siraj Durrani said that Waheeda Shah had only slapped people, while so many others in the country get away with killing people. He maintained that Waheeda Shah should be forgiven." This says all about the mentality of these people! They are ruling the country, yet they admit that people get away with murder here and still they are praised! The nonsense will not stop in this country until people start voting for these criminals out and stop giving away their votes for a plate of biryani!
So now we'll have the claims and slogans of '' ye sub establishment aur judiciary ki saazish hai jamhooriat kay khilaf'' .
Not simple assault. Battery too!
The punishment fits the crime. It means she won't be qualified to contest next general election. Its end of her political career. Another proof that bye elections were held fairly. No excuse for Imran to boycott elections under present ECP..
Chill guys..... its just a verdict from ECP, which can only decide about elections and politics.. their will be criminal charges against her and she will be put to trial in there on the charges of obstructing in the state matter with minimum punishment of 2 years and 200,000 fine.
is this the liberal,progressive face of the ppp that it claims it has? are slapping women the liberal values the ppp leaders promote? why hasn't there been any action against waheeda by the ppp itself? why does the ppp think that slapping women is alright behaviour?
ppp should have expelled her from the party by now,but they didn't.perhaps it's liberal nowadays to beat up women.
These kind of incidents do take place in the Pakistan because of inability of the institutes. Punishment is not enough considering the assault.
At least something...felt like a pleasant surprise in this lawless society of feuds
A commendable verdict by ECP. An independent election commission long live. Pakistan Zinda baad.
In a country where family based political elite, Waderas and Jagirdars are the rules and law such a bold punishment by ECP can be called at least glimpses of fresh blwoing wind. Well done ECP keep it up. Hope it will be a lesson for many in forthcoming national elections.
@abdul moiz: Wait case in SC still in process. ECP acted to save her and PPP
Why not Tit for Tat....
2 years?? Just 2 years? She deserves a lifetime ban and time behind bars!
Good decision by ECP
She deserved a punishment but 2 years ban is too much, polling staff had already forgive her
Great verdict.. These feudal minded people should be permanently banned. Now I fear for the life of poor women who was slapped because all the anger will be taken out on her. What a democracy we have :-(
Great work ECP
That is the max the EC could do. The SC should not let her escape lightly and set an example. Lets see if that happens? Doubtful?
How long before we start hearing the slogans of ''waheeda shah shaheed-e-jamhooriat ''.Another siyasis shaheed for the ruling party?
Should be banned for life
Why only two years? Why not life time ban? This is pathetic!
what a joke! she should have been imprisoned for physically assaulting two govt. officials.she got to get away as waderas have always gotten away with their crimes.it's only the poor people who go to jail.