PTI rejects presidential election results

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan on Saturday rejected the presidential election results, saying occupying a constitutional post through an unconstitutional way was like trampling the Constitution.

During a chat with journalists outside the Parliament House, Gohar expressed concern over the growing influence of two prominent families -- the Sharifs and Zardaris -- not only on the country’s resources but now on democratic institutions as well.

The PTI chairman took a direct jab at Zardari, referring to him as the ‘king of corrupt elements’ and asserting that he was being imposed on the country. He contended that constitutional posts were very important; Asif Zardari’s victory will not be a good omen for democracy. He reiterated that the Electoral College was incomplete and the issue of reserved seats was pending.

Meanwhile, the PTI spokesperson termed the election of president unconstitutional and unacceptable, saying on the one hand the mandate thieves were voting in the election of the president while, on the other hand, the electoral roll required for the top post was incomplete.

Reacting to the election, the spokesperson said the vote of unelected members, who took fake oaths on a stolen mandate, was unacceptable for the election of the president. He said that violation of the electoral constitution for the highest constitutional post without completing the Electoral College was illegal, and after stealing the public mandate in broad daylight, trampling the court order and making rejected people members of the national and Punjab assemblies was a big question mark for judicial justice.

He clarified that the votes of unelected members and those sitting in the assembly on the basis of fake Form 47 in the presidential election have no legal and constitutional value and status.

The PTI spokesperson demanded that the “worst series of violations of the Constitution and law in the country” by continuously insulting the mandate of the people should be stopped. He said the PTI would hold peaceful protests across the country today (Sunday) on the call of Imran Khan to take back the “stolen mandate from the mandate thieves”.

Reacting to the presidential election, PTI Secretary General Omar Ayub Khan accused those rejected by the people were being given positions in an illegitimate manner. He alleged the presidential poll was controversial, unconstitutional and illegal.

On the other hand, former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser said that the presidential election was illegal due to incomplete assembly. He said that they were fighting a legal battle and would also go to the public. He regretted that despite issuance of production order, not bringing Ijaz Chaudhry to the House was a violation. He insisted the order must have been complied with.

Asad Qaiser criticised the entire election process, deeming it controversial.

Barrister Ali Zafar, speaking on the occasion, questioned how individuals were allowed to vote when the issue of reserved seats was still under court scrutiny. The PTI leader contended that the ruling coalition had a history of acquiring positions through questionable means, referring to Shehbaz Sharif becoming the prime minister on what they allege was a fake mandate.