ECP reserves verdict on plea against Balochistan CM

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Wednesday reserved its verdict regarding ex-MPA Gohram Bugti’s plea for referral of his petition, challenging victory of Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti from PB-10 to another tribunal.

An ECP Bench heard the matter here and Gohram’s lawyer presented arguments, seeking referring of the election plea to another tribunal. He contended that the present tribunal had given contradictory verdict in such a case already.

However, contrary to it, Sarfraz’s lawyer opposed the plea and rejected the objections raised by the other side.

Jamhoori Watan Party’s leader Gohram Bugti had challenged Sarfaraz Bugti’s election victory in the tribunal and raised questions about the validity of Sarfaraz’s election win from the PB-10 constituency (Dera Bugti).

The petitioner had argued that as a minister of the caretaker cabinet, he could not contest the election, alleging that his rival had got a posting of his favourite polling staff, then, resigned from cabinet, and contested the election.

Among his other objections, was that on papers, he bagged votes with an 80 to 99 percent ratio in the election, whereas this ratio of vote casting is impossible in any election.

Separately, an ECP Bench, headed by Sindh Member Nisar Ahmad Durrani, conducted hearing on Pervaiz Elahi’s petition on alleged rigging in PP-32, Gujrat. The petitioner’s lawyer appeared before the bench.

The lawyer claimed that the votes of those who died were also cast and hence votes of scores of dead people were also polled during the electoral process. With this, he submitted some documents to the commission and urged for inquiry into the matter. Later, the bench adjourned hearing of the petition till June 4.

The ECP bench also took up the issue of non-submission of annual returns by the legislators. It was informed that 46 MPS had submitted their annual returns after the issuance of the notice.

The ECP officials pointed out that a total of 125 legislators have been issued notices in this connection (mostly belonging to the PMLN and PPP). Later, the ECP bench gave the last opportunity to the members to submit annual returns and adjourned hearing till June 11.