PML-N candidate claimed that thousands of voters of NA-48 have polled their votes in NA-54 and PP-10 in the last elections. PHOTO: APP
A local Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader has formally lodged an objection with the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) delimitation officer, asking the board to demarcate areas falling within the revenue estate of the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT).
PML-N leader Anjum Aqeel Khan said in the objection that thousands of voters from areas falling within the revenue estate of ICT cast their ballots in NA-54 and PP-10 constituency, instead of NA-48.
Advocate Anwar Dar, counsel for the former MNA, said that after going through a partial amended public notice, it was found that “some more areas of the ICT revenue estate have been included in the revised preliminary proposal of delimitation of the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board”.
According to the objection, many areas around Peshawar Road, Gulistan-e-Iqbal, Pirwadahi, and other areas fall within the ICT revenue estate and should thus be part of the NA-48 constituency.
When contacted, Aqeel said that under the Cantonment Act, the RCB cannot hold elections beyond its limits.
“Holding elections in areas falling within the revenue estate of ICT and constituency NA-48 Islamabad is void, illegal, without jurisdiction and against the law of land,” he said.
He claimed that thousands of voters of NA-48 have polled their votes in NA-54 and PP-10 in the last elections.
Aqeel claimed that the identity cards of inhabitants of the disputed areas have been issued by Nadra Islamabad, and according to the final 2012voter list, were registered in NA-48.
“I have proof that the areas also fall within the jurisdiction of the Sabzi Mandi and Tarnol Police Station,” he said.
Another PML-N leader said that the issue spoke volumes about the weakness of the Election Commission of Pakistan.
“If the delimitation officer confirmed the areas do not fall under the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board, fresh elections can be announced in the three constituencies,” he claimed
“How can voters from one constituency poll their votes in another?” he asked.
The Tarnol police confirmed that some of the areas fell under their jurisdiction, as did officials at Naseerabad Police Station in Rawalpindi, who said Chishtiabad, Bokra Colony and areas east of GT Road fall under the jurisdiction of Islamabad’s Tarnol police.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 10th, 2013.
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