Unverified votes: ECP, Kulsoom granted more time

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Wednesday granted another opportunity to Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and PML-N MNA Kulsoom Nawaz to file replies to a petition of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Dr Yasmin Rashid seeking cancelation of alleged 29,000 unverified votes in from NA-120.

Through her counsel Ms Rashid pleaded that 29,000 unverified votes were cast in the by-polls of the national assembly’s constituency held last year despite the fact that record of such votes was not available with the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra). She asked the court to direct the ECP to cancel the unverified votes and also set aside the result of the by-poll. The counsel of the ECP and Ms Nawaz sought time to submit their replies. The court allowed the request with direction to the lawyers to ensure submission of the replies by March 15. Talking to media persons, Ms Rashid said the ECP and the PML-N had been employing delaying tactics to prolong the proceedings. She alleged that 29,000 fake votes were cast in the by-elections and the ECP had not provided her the voters list despite an order by the high court. She alleged that state machinery was openly used in the by-polls of the NA-120 to secure victory for the PML-N’s candidate and the ECP acted as a silent spectator. She said the ECP had become a sub-wing of the PML-N as several petitions filed by the PTI before it remained unfruitful. Ms Rashid said the PTI would not let anyone rob the votes of people. Fair and free election was critical for a prosperous Pakistan, she added.

horse-trading: The Lahore High Court on Wednesday issued notice to the Election Commission of Pakistan over alleged horse trading in Senate polls.

Kanwar Dilshad, ECP former secretary, had moved the petition through his counsel Advocate Baqir Hussain. He said the Senate election was the worst example of mismanagement and corruption as a huge horse-trading was done by the political moguls. It was all because of the failure of ECP, the counsel said. The counsel requested the court to set aside the result of the recent Senate election and stop ECP from issuing notification to the successful candidates. After hearing initial arguments, Justice Shahid Karim issued notices to ECP and put off further proceedings until April 2. About the same matter, Judicial Activism Panel Chairman Advocate Azhar Siddique wrote a letter to ECP, requesting it not to issue notification to the newly elected candidates of Senate elections.

policemen: An additional district and sessions court on Wednesday issued orders for registering a criminal case against three police officials for not complying with the court orders. Additional District and Sessions Judge Shahzad Ahmad issued orders against Kahna SHO, Sub Inspectors Muhammad Ihsan and Ghulam Ali. The said police officials were not appearing before the court as prosecution witnesses in a murder case registered in Kahna Police Station in 2010.