Arts Council poll results challenged

Karachi
The Sindh High Court on Wednesday issued notices to newly elected Arts Council body on a lawsuit challenging the scrutiny process of voters and election results.
Khalil Ahmed Nanitalwala had challenged the recently held elections on the basis of eligibility of 436 new voters.
The court ordered that the successful candidates may take oath of their respective offices, however, the outcome of the elections and taking over charge of their respective offices shall be subject to further orders of the court.
The plaintiff’s counsel Aminullah Siddiqui submitted that the court had directed the commissioner Karachi to conduct scrutiny of 400 new as well as 36 life members prior to the elections.
He said that scrutiny was required to be conducted strictly on basis of ACP’s memorandum and article of associations with regard to eligibility of the members to cast votes in the election, adding that a number of voters, who did not fulfill the mandatory six months criteria to become eligible voters, cast their votes disputing eligibility of such voters and outcome of the elections.
The counsel said that though the election process has been completed, however, charge has not been taken over by the newly elected members, requesting the court to restrain the newly-elected body of APC from taking charge of their respective offices.
Justice Mohammad Shafi Siddiqui issued notices to Karachi commissioner and Arts Council body for January 6 and directed the commissioner to file a compliance report.