ECP restores PTI MNA’s victory notification

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Thursday restored the victory notification of PTI’s Ch Bilal Ejaz as MNA from NA-81, Gujranwala.

The ECP issued a notification in this connection pursuant to orders passed by the Lahore High Court (LHC). The PTI-backed candidate had pocketed victory in the February 8 general elections with a clear margin of 8,000 votes but lost in the recount.

The LHC last week set aside the victory notification of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PMLN) leader Azhar Qayyum from NA-81, Gujranwala, and restored the membership of Bilal Ejaz as MNA.

Justice Shahid Karim had passed the orders while allowing a petition filed by Bilal Ejaz challenging the notification for Azhar Qayyum’s victory. The petitioner had approached the LHC against the Election Commission’s decision to declare Azhar Qayyum as the successful candidate from NA-81.

He submitted that he was declared successful from NA-81 by a margin of 8,000 votes, but the Election Commission ‘illegally’ declared Azhar Qayyum successful in a vote recount. He also submitted that the returning officer reduced his 2,500 votes in recounting.

Bilal Ejaz contended that the Election Commission could not order a vote recount after the formation of the election tribunal, pleading the court to set aside the victory notification of his rival Azhar Qayyum.

According to original result, Bilal Ejaz was declared returned candidate, having received 117,717 votes while the PMLN candidate could secure 109,926 votes. After the recount, Azhar Qayyum secured 110,057 votes while Bilal Ejaz got 106,860 votes.