ECP reserves verdict on Nawaz’s plea seeking re-election in NA-15

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Tuesday reserved its verdict on a petition filed by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) supremo Nawaz Sharif seeking re-election in NA-15, Mansehra.

A two-member commission, headed by ECP Sindh member Nisar Durrani, heard Nawaz’s plea on NA-15 while PMLN leader’s lawyer Barrister Jahangir Jadoon and independent candidate Gastasab Khan’s lawyer Babar Awan appeared before the forum.

Jadoon pleaded for re-election in the constituency during the arguments and took the stance that the difference of votes of Nawaz and Gastasab was 25,000, whereas more than 9,000 votes were rejected and Form 45 of 123 polling stations of Kala Dhaka were not given.

ECP Member Babar Hassan Bharwana directed that the arguments should be shortened, as 632 pages’ investigation cannot be done, and that in such a situation, the ECP would have to open the elections of the whole country.

Bharwana asked the lawyer, “Are you saying that elections across the country were unconstitutional, illegal and rigged?” Jadoon replied that he was only talking about NA-15.

Advocate Babar Awan said the FIR lodged against the RO could not be taken as evidence. The ECP was neither a court nor a tribunal, adding that the case should be sent to a tribunal. Meanwhile, the ECP reserved its verdict on completion of arguments from both the sides.