February 14, 2008	Thursday	Safar 06, 1429

HYDERABAD, Feb 13: The Hyderabad circuit bench of the Sindh High Court on Wednesday issued pre-admission notices to chief election commissioner, provincial election commissioner, assistant election commissioner, district returning officer and an MQM candidate Abdul Rasheed Bhaya to appear in court on Feb 15, on a constitutional petition filed by a PPP candidate.

The petitioner said that the MQM candidate had sent an application to the ECE requesting him to shift nine polling stations of PS-24, 12, 34, 35, 49, 50, 60, 61, 62, and 87 of Nawabshah city. The CEC forwarded the application to DRO of Nawabshah, who forwarded it to the concerned returning officer (RO).

He alleged that the RO paid a visit to the polling stations without informing the contesting candidates and sent a recommendation to CEC for issuance of corrigendum for shifting the polling stations, which was in a violation of the Representation of People’s Act 1976 and 8-B(I).

He said that polling had been held at the polling stations in 2002 elections without any reports of trouble to any voter but their shifting now was bound to create trouble for voters. Besides, it was in violation of law, he added.

He prayed the court restrain respondents from issuing corrigendum.