Chief Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani. PHOTO: ZAHOORUL HAQ/EXPRESS FILE
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court heard Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) request for seeking the verification of thumb impressions of votes in four constituencies secured by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders in the May 11 elections, Express News reported on Monday.
Led by Chief Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani, a three-member bench heard the petition today. The bench also includes Justice Amir Hani Muslim and Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan.
The PTI chairman had filed a petition at the Supreme Court seeking ‘verification of thumb impressions’ in NA-110, NA-122, NA-125 and NA 154.
He had alleged massive fraud in the elections and called for the verification of voters’ thumb impressions with the help of the National Database Registration Authority (NADRA).
The Supreme Court had decided to take up the petition. However, the chief justice remarked that accepting the PTI's petition would mean, "people from Karachi to Khyber will approach the Supreme Court with their requests".
The apex court ordered that records of the election tribunal be submitted to the court as well.
While talking to the media in Islamabad PTI chairman Imran Khan stated that "democracy depends on free and fair elections," adding that the Supreme Court has taken the first step towards it and this is only the start of the journey.
Vote fraud controversy
During a press conference in Lahore on December 14, the PTI chairman had said that if the votes were recounted then record rigging will be revealed.
“Government has recognized that 60 to 70 thousand votes are unverified in each of the constituencies,” Imran had added.
On December 9, the top court admitted miscellaneous petitions seeking the verification of thumb impressions in four constituencies for preliminary hearing after Imran’s attorney Hamid Khan shot down objections raised by the Supreme Court registrar against his client’s petition. The petition filed by Imran on June 8 was returned by the registrar office and the petitioner was asked to approach another forum for this purpose.
The development had come after Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan invited the parliamentary leaders of all political parties for a brainstorming session on the vote fraud controversy.
National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq was elected on NA-122; Defence Minister Khawaja Asif had won from NA-110; Railway Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique had defeated PTI’s Hamid Khan in NA-125 and Sadiq Baloch had outvoted PTI’s Secretary General Jahangir Tareen in NA-154.
COMMENTS (37)
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@Naheed: Sorry, but PMLn did not take defeat like a sportsman either in last elections, did it? Check the records please.
Imran is a coward man. He should show sportsman spirit. He should accept defeat with open heart.
No hopes from failed PTI. Hope from PML-N only
@ JB @ Iram @ Ahmed @ Riz Question: Do you remember what happened to the recount of PP-150? Answer: As expected, PTI ran away by rejecting the results! Proof: http://www.dawn.com/news/1040535/pml-n-wins-in-lahores-pp-150-recount-pti-rejects-unofficial-result and http://tribune.com.pk/story/599663/pp-150-recount-pml-n-candidate-mian-marghoob-wins/ Koi Dekhe Ya Na Dekhe Shabbir Tu Dekhe Ga !!
I think CJ's remarks is a bit more political then judicious. It is logical that those thumb impression were taken to be used when there arises dispute. So obviously any one can easily verify and satisfy himself by asking for thumb verification. I think SC should not consider such logic and let the verification be done no matter whole seats are challenged.
Enough time has been taken by the corrupt system to take care of thumb impressions by now so any unexpected out come wont surprise me now.
Good luck IK.
I request PMLn leaders to follow the policy of respect of the judiciary and the law...strictly for their party's own future. The good policies that you adopt only helps your own party in bad days that comes to every party sooner or later. No time is better to adopt this then; when you are in power.
@Arsie Is fighting for your rights madness? People have recorded massive rigging and intimidation in these elections (to which very unsurprisingly PMLN supporters turn a blind eye and deaf ear to). Atleast IK is doing something right. He is fighting for our country. He is showing that Pakistan comes first. This is something our PM should be doing. Has he shown any stance on the drone attacks? Why is he so quiet? Why is IK blocking NATO supplies; something which Nawaz Sharif should have done? And for some reason, the PML N supporters are ready to ridicule any stance IK takes whether or not results are achieved.
It means 2 federal ministers and the National Assembly Speaker under fire.
@Riz: Wake up buddy.. enough of dreaming ...
I'm pretty sure by now they would've changed the results to suit themselves. I think PTI should should show patience rather than this dharna-politics. Pakistanis will now reap what they sowed for another 5 years
Keep Fighting IK, such steps would secure the future of Pakistan and its democracy.
Thank you SC for accepting the petition.
So PMLN should start searching a new speaker or a railway minister.
Seriously, get over it.
It’s a Tough call for PML-N to justify its supremacy in Election of 11th May.
First test of the new CJP. I traveled from UK for casting my vote and witnessed ringing from my own eyes in Lahore. So there is only one option for the CJP.
Hope justice and truth will prevail.
Good Decision, If PTI is still defeated in those constituencies, Imran Khan should show some shame and retire from Politics.
Good job. PTI will again be succeeded on all these constituencies. If Supreme Court takes a decision that 11 th May election was not a free and fair election and will decide to re-election on all the constituencies of NA then I am sure PTI will win and Imran Khan will become next PM of Pakistan.
a good decision by SC because its very important to correct mistakes of 11th may elections so that future elections could be better.