LHC prevents issuance of NA-128 results

LAHORE:The Lahore High Court (LHC) has summoned the relevant Returning Officer (RO) on the application filed by Salman Akram Raja, an independent candidate from NA-128, against the move of not allowing him to sit in the counting of votes.

The court issued notices preventing issuance of the result of NA-128 while further proceedings on the case were adjourned till February 12. Reportedly, during the preliminary hearing on the request of Salman Akram Raja, Justice Ali Baqar Najafi made the RO and others parties.

Salman Akram Raja, argued that he was contesting as an independent from NA-128 under the Election Act and the presence of the candidate was required in the election results but the RO had allegedly excluded him during the counting of votes. He requested that the court order the returning officer to count the votes in the presence of the candidate. It was stated in the petition that unidentified assailants had attacked the Model Town polling station and the petitioner and fellow supporters were tortured.