tribunal’s decision ordering reelection in NA-125 was against the returning officer and the presiding officers of the constituency.
Addressing a press conference at Lahore Press Club, the senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader said the runner-up Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidate, Hamid Khan, had failed to prove rigging and refused to acknowledge the tribunal’s verdict, while citing a technicality.
“The tribunal’s decision proves that there was no rigging. Even though the judge could have said that rigging had taken place, he did not explicitly mention it,” Rafique stated.He remarked that the decision might result in the “disqualification” of the returning officer.“If returning officers are to be blamed for malpractices, why my voters and I are being punished,” he lamented.
About the claim made by Hamid Khan’s lawyer that Saad Rafique paid Rs20 million as bribe to the returning officer to rig the elections, he responded, “I don’t want to start a blame game but Imran Khan says a lot of lies. So, if Hamid Khan lies once, I shouldn’t mind.”
Saad Rafique said the decision to approach the Supreme Court with regards to challenging the tribunal’s verdict was something he could not take without consulting the party members. But, he added that he was ready to contest the elections again.
Earlier, he told media persons outside the ECP office said the decision was against the requirements of justice, adding that his party would decide either to challenge the tribunal’s decision in the Supreme Court or contest the reelection.He said the tribunal judge did not declare him disqualified but awarded punishment to his voters for the negligence of returning officer, presiding officers and election staff.
Saad said according to the tribunal judge, irregularities were proved in only seven polling stations, which did not mean proving any sort of rigging. He said he was street fighter and would contest by-election if his party decided.Meanwhile, PTI’s counsel Mian Muhammad Hussain alleged that Returning Officer Khalid Ahmed Bhatti took Rs20 million, a vehicle and a plot as bribe to ensure to Saad’s victory.