LG polls papers scrutiny begins today

LAHORE
The Returning Officers for the third phase of Local Government elections in Punjab and Sindh will start scrutiny of nomination papers by October 8 (today) as the Wednesday was the last day for receiving nomination papers.
Earlier, the Election Commission of Pakistan directed the returning officers to receive nomination papers from all the candidates even after office hours (04:00 pm), provided the candidates were already present on the office premises.
The third phase of LG polls will held in 12 districts of Punjab and six districts of Sindh. Punjab districts where Local Government elections would be held in the third phase include Layyah, Rajanpur, DG Khan, Muzaffargarh, Jhang, Khushab, Rawalpindi, Sialkot, Narowal, Rahimyar Khan, Bahawalpur and Multan.
Six districts of Sindh where elections are scheduled in the third phase are Karachi East, Karachi West, Karachi Central, Karachi South, Malir and Korangi.
Scrutiny of nomination papers will take place from October 8 to 13. Last date for filing appeals against acceptance or rejection of appeals would be October 30 and tribunals would decide appeals by November 05. Last date for withdrawal of candidature would be November 06 and the revised list of candidates would be published on November 07. The election will be held in said districts of Punjab and Sindh by December 03.
dismissed: The Lahore High Court on Wednesday dismissed petition of Punjab University Law College lecturer Khujista Rehan against PU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran.
In her petition, Khujista Rehan had submitted that the PU VC be refrained from functioning as Vice-Chancellor because former Provincial Ombudsperson had made observations against him while deciding her complaint of sexual harassment.
She sought an inquiry against the VC. She also sought his suspension from service for the duration of the inquiry.
Dr Khalid Ranjha, representing Dr Mujahid Kamran and PU's legal adviser Malik Awais Khalid argued that Dr Kamran had filed a representation against the decision of former provincial ombudsperson to the Punjab Governor under Section 9 of the Act.
They submitted that the governor, keeping in view the facts, had set aside the decision of former provincial ombudsperson and the whole story of sexual harassment was totally baseless and no allegation against Vice-Chancellor had been proved. Therefore, they prayed, the petition was infructuous (ineffective) and not maintainable. Presenting the orders of Punjab governor, they said former provincial ombudsperson had clearly mentioned in her judgment that she could not hear the case of sexual harassment filed by Khujista Rehan but made observations against the vice-chancellor without hearing the VC.
They said Dr Mujahid Kamran in his representation to the governor submitted that Khujista's allegations were against the facts. Moreover, the VC had filed a writ petition before the Lahore High Court and the LHC on November 04, 2013 suspended the operation of hearing notice issued by the Ombudsperson to the VC asking him to appear before her on November 05, 2013. They said, however, on November 05, 2013, the VC received a copy of the impugned order to his utter surprise. The VC stated in his representation that the said decision was not sustainable in the eye of law since the Ombudsperson had categorically written that she had no jurisdiction to decide the complaint; therefore, any suggestion given in the said decision was coram non-judice (without jurisdiction). Moreover, the decision was one-sided and reflected solely the version of Khujista Rehan whereas the VC was never allowed to defend himself in accordance with the law and was condemned unheard. The VC also mentioned in his representation that the ombudsperson did not provide certified copy of the record of complaint against him.
The counsels submitted that accepting his representation, the Punjab governor through an order issued on September 23, 2015, has set aside the orders of former provincial ombudsperson to the extent of observations made against the vice-chancellor.