The Supreme court allows PPP electoral candidate Waheeda Shah to take part in upcoming polls. PHOTO: IRFAN ALI
A three member bench conducted the hearing where they nullified her disqualification and ordered that the returning officer accept her nomination papers.
PPP’s electoral candidate for the by-polls for Sindh Assembly seat PS-53, she had made headlines in 2012 after she was caught on camera slapping an election commission polling officer and allegedly interfering in the polling process on the voting day.
In March 2012, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced a two-year ban on Shah from taking part in elections and nullified the result of the Badin by-poll that took place on February 25, 2012. Hence, Shah had to give up the seat she had won.
In November 2012, the member from Sindh, Justice (retd) Hamid Ali Mirza, the then chief election commissioner, voted against her disqualification.
Shah again appealed at the Sindh High Court and the ECP but neither was she allowed to contest elections and nor did she get her seat back. As a last resort, she appealed before the Supreme Court which ordered the ECP to allow the PPP candidate to submit her nomination papers.
COMMENTS (16)
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@A Dr: Best option for the public is to remember this incidence and on the day of election, they must vote against her. This will be the best punishment for her as well as for the party who gave her ticket for the election.
Flabber Gasted!!!! I am wondered that how it could be possible? She slapped & just disqualified and what about that lady who was slapped? Did Waheeda got punished according to the Criminal Law? Where is 509 PPC? Where is Women Protection Bill & Its ammendments?I know that this is not cognizable offence but offence is there, She deprived that Respected Teacher/ Polling officer. The honourable court should re-consider about their decision other wise it will be assumed that there will be no check & Balancing criteria for fair forth coming Elections.
Every candidate must release their tax returns. For the last five yrs to the public. This is norm in USA
Ok, an eye for eye. Let the Lady Teacher Slap Waheeda Shah. Justice will be served. Whole Country is Stunned with Wheeda's Arrogance, Slapping Feudal. The Lady Teacher is a citizen of Pakistan, She is to be Respected First. Let the Lady Teacher Contest, Good Justice.
Shocked to hear and read that Waheeda Shah has been allowed to run for election. SC cannot uphold their decision.
This is un-believable. Someone who slapped a government officer on duty is allowed to contest election by Supreme Court?. I am loosing faith.........and respect.........
Democracy is the biggest slap of independency - this proves today.
When the SC behaves like this, it proves it is it's own worst enemy...................shame.
On what grounds SC allowed her to contest the elections? What is guarantee that she will not repeat such horrible behaviour.
May Allah help Pakistan !!
@ above!
This nation wants to release Lal Masjid clerics on with honor, wants to talk to Taliban, hold peace negotiations with likes of Sufi Muhammad and showers Mumtaz Qadri with rose petals but Waheeda Shah's one slap makes her unfit to contest elections.
SC is undermining itself by allowing this.
She was not jailed for assaulting a government official on duty, she was not jailed for putting hurdle to electoral process, she did not apologize to the woman she slapped and now her ban is overturned. This is ridiculous.
This just tells us we should forget about free and fair elections, and just be happy with this lot that considers it their birth right to slap around someone from middle class or lower class.
Seriously, I mean seriously? She doesn't even have enough decorum to run in UC elections and you are allowing her to run for a PA seat. Pathetic.
A Politician who slapped on the Face of Lady teacher during By Elections have been allowed to contest means there is no respect for the Teachers and their insult does not make any sense . The Teacher may boycott the Election Duties if such ill tempered Politicians are allowed to contest . When you are not respected and protected against the such Feudals or Arrogant Politicians then why should you perform Election Duties . Permission may enrage the Teachers again for banning such politicians who has no respect for Polling Staff and Teachers .