LAHORE: Victory of Prime Minister Imran Khan from NA-95 (Mianwali) and of former defence minister Khwaja Muhammad Asif from NA-73 (Sialkot) in July 25 general elections has been challenged through two separate election petitions before the election tribunal of the Lahore High Court.

Abdul Wahab of the Pakistan Justice and Democratic Party, a defeated candidate from NA-95, challenged the election of Mr Khan, accusing him of concealing mandatory details, mainly about his sons, in his nomination papers.

Filed through Advocate Mobeenuddin Qazi, the petition urges the tribunal that election of Mr Khan as returned candidate be declared void and that the nomination of the respondent was also invalid.

It further requests the tribunal to de-notify the respondent as an MNA and declare the seat vacant, besides issuing directions to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for initiating appropriate proceedings against him.

In his petition, Mr Wahab submits that under section 60(2)(d) of Election Act, 2017, a candidate has to furnish a statement of his own assets and liabilities and assets of his spouse and dependent children. However, he states, Mr Khan failed to disclose details of properties owned by his wife and two sons.

The petitioner pleads that the respondent stands disqualified under Article 62(1)(d), (e) and (f) and Article 63(1) (o) & (p) of the Constitution. Hence, he should not be allowed to usurp an important public office of a national legislator as well as the office of the country’s prime minister.

Similarly, Usman Dar of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf challenged the victory notification of the PML-N’s Khwaja Asif, accusing him of concealing his assets and submitting “unverified” affidavits before the ECP.

Mr Dar also questioned the polling process saying ballots of 53 polling stations were deposited to the returning officer next day of the polling. He said the victory margin of the respondent was very thin and sought vote recount.

The petitioner asked the tribunal to set aside the victory notification of Mr Asif and order the ECP to hold a fresh poll in the constituency.

Published in Dawn, September 23rd, 2018