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ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed all petitions calling to declare the May 2013 General Elections as void.
The decision issued by the apex court read that petitions demanding last year's general elections to be declared void at large were non-maintainable as tribunals were in place to address grievances pertaining to elections on various seats.
The court referred to Article 225 of the Constitution on election disputes which says that complaints pertaining to elections are to be resolved by the concerned tribunals.
Three petitions had been filed in the apex court in this regard by Kokab Iqbal Advocate, Zahir Sarfaraz and a former Supreme Court judge Justice (retd) Mahmood Akhter Shahid Siddiqui.
Also read | View from the courtroom: Election tribunals in the limelight as poll rigging controversy lingers
Former Secretary General Election Commission of Pakistan Afzal Khan also appear before the court.
The petitioners had pleaded before the court to order fresh elections and had argued that the magnetic ink used in last year’s polls was defective. They had furthered asked that action be initiated against ECP officials and others involved in the purchase of the faulty ink.
The petitions also accused ECP members, Returning Officers and Presiding Officers for not following the statutory pre-requisites during the electoral process.
The Supreme Court's decision comes at a time when opposition parties led by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) have been carrying out anti-government demonstrations in protest of alleged rigging in the 2013 polls.
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Comments (95) Closed
Oct 29, 2014 02:01pm
It was Expected.
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Oct 29, 2014 02:04pm
haha. Our great courts.
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Oct 29, 2014 02:09pm
Right verdict and at right time...
IK need to understand, things can't be changed overnight, to change names time needed and it can only be done by changing mindset of nation. IK should work to change the process, he should force to bring electronic voting system for next election and so on,,,,
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Oct 29, 2014 02:09pm
False hopes given to PTI by IK are over. Someone stop retiring legislators, not to waste their voters and supporters struggle and Pakistan's money spent on their elections.
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Oct 29, 2014 02:12pm
Thats the law and justice iftikhar ch. did the same thing..nothing wrong with this....
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Oct 29, 2014 02:12pm
so now whose left that will give PTI justice?
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Oct 29, 2014 02:12pm
Why do you take suo moto on any action if there are institutions to take action? That means justice is not delivered. In election 2013 there were thousands of anomalies on part of EC, contesting parties and candidates, but to a single person was given exemplary punished. I could imagine what will happen with IK when he will go court to face former CJ.
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Oct 29, 2014 02:13pm
The petitions to disqualify Nawaz Sharif would be rejected soon because these aren't Pakistan's courts but the courts of the powerful yet illiterate landlords.
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Oct 29, 2014 02:14pm
This judiciary is useless and only takes Suo Moto if one lane of the road to Supreme Court is blocked due to protests as it adds inconvenience to their luxurious cars!
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Oct 29, 2014 02:16pm
They will not see because we will cloud their judgment. They will not do justice because we will not let them.
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Oct 29, 2014 02:20pm
Obviously, the SC will reject it, thats like asking a habitual thief if he is guilty. Imran knew that already, thats why he has set the 30th November date a week ago. If the election results are overturned, the crooks at the top including Judges, politicians and many media owners will end up in jails and all their illegally gained wealth confiscated, we all know that, so of course we cannot expect justice from these criminals
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Oct 29, 2014 02:25pm
And then they say Army is at fault. The problem is our judiciary and not the Army. When Judiciary wont sort the matters for you, what options will remain?
Those hundreds of thousands of proofs shown on media were not enough for it to be maintainable even? And it is not that Election Tribunal options were not exhausted by PTI. May Allah Bless Pakistan. That is all I can say really.
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Oct 29, 2014 02:37pm
Why were the petitions accepted then??? We all knew that tribunals were in place!!!
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Oct 29, 2014 03:03pm
A land mark decision by Apex Court. It will certainly make history. Now I.K. must understand what is law and who are ROs and Presiding Officer.
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Oct 29, 2014 03:09pm
Just look at the behavior contrast of courts between last and this government. We are hopeless from this justice system.
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Oct 29, 2014 03:31pm
Where will you get justice Imran Khan. Your party name is tehreek e insaaf. Good luck seeking justice from our great courts.
All efforts are futile. They have rejected all the the petitions. Now what?
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Oct 29, 2014 03:32pm
Excellent and wise decision by SC..Imran Khan and PTI supporters tried their best to politicize honourable SC but failed miserably
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Oct 29, 2014 03:32pm
Based on giving evidence. Excellent decision. Justice is Justice. SC not see who is shouting and who is not, there you need evidence instead of slogans.
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Oct 29, 2014 03:34pm
Now all PTI trolls will start cursing SC as Nawaz courts, however if the same decision would have been reversed against government, all these PTI supporters woul start praising courts. Is there any limit of double standards?
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Oct 29, 2014 03:34pm
there you need evidence not slogan brother. except it.
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Oct 29, 2014 03:35pm
Court trusted the system in place. In fact endorsed current govt. Khan should wind up his dharna and start serving people in KPK, otherwise he is likely to face fate of Aam Aadmi party in next elections...
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Oct 29, 2014 03:37pm
Even if the tribunals take 5 years to address the grievances....
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Oct 29, 2014 03:41pm
Imran has fooled his supporters enough. They should now come to their senses and wake up from their dreams. Canadian High Commissioner statement should be an eye opener for them. They should ask Imran to stop the nonsense which he is carrying for last 80 days.
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Oct 29, 2014 03:56pm
Our corrupt but sacred courts did it one more time. What should we expect from this corrupt system. The whole world is watching the proof given to us every passing day but our blind and corrupt courts see nothing here.
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Oct 29, 2014 04:02pm
All judges are following foot steps of former CJ
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Oct 29, 2014 04:04pm
@Irfan that is why IK fighting against injustice in this country.. all judges r following footsteps of IC.....
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Oct 29, 2014 04:04pm
No Law in this country
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Oct 29, 2014 04:06pm
test
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Oct 29, 2014 04:07pm
Correct decision, judiciary had and will follow the procedures and law not IK and PTI desires/false dreams.
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Oct 29, 2014 04:20pm
@Khurram
Honorable????
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Oct 29, 2014 04:37pm
When the whole system is biased, why do we expect our judiciary to be neutral???
Partisan it was, partisan it is and probably partisan it will remain...
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Oct 29, 2014 04:46pm
SC is not as clean as in India
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Oct 29, 2014 04:50pm
What is left with the poor guy? Ik has to understand that honest is the best policy does not apply in Pakistan. Become a member of the club and enjoy your life. Why are you so much worried about Pakistan and its people. You will not get justice here.
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Oct 29, 2014 04:55pm
So basically, Now, for Imran khan and his blindfollowers, the supreme court on whom they had complete trust on, would no longer be a trustworthy instution because the decision hasnt come in their favour lol.. Just like iftikhat chaudhry was once their fav lad, so was fakhurudin g ibrahim, so was javed hashmi, but since all of them gave their decisions against imran khan, the good ones turned bad! This is pti's criteria of judging and policy making!
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Oct 29, 2014 04:56pm
Imran Khan should understand that we Pakistanis do not want any change, we are happy with the status quo: the politicians, the judges, the bureaucrats, the generals, all have their fingers in the pie. So why to lose all the freebees with the possibility of accountability? Every country gets the government it deserves. We do not deserve Imran. Cry the beloved country.
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Oct 29, 2014 04:57pm
@Koshur It is so clean that Afzal Guru was hanged and Rajiv Ghandhi's killers are freed. What a joke. Please keep your examples within your borders.
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Oct 29, 2014 05:21pm
Case closed let the tribunals look individual constituency. Then overturn questionable results
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Oct 29, 2014 05:23pm
@Ali Abbas, though am in favor of transparent elections but this decision is constitutional.
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Oct 29, 2014 05:25pm
@Imran Khan, acceptance does not mean decision in favor of the petitioners. Please learn the procedures before making anti decision comments.
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Oct 29, 2014 05:29pm
Imran believed in justice and rule of law but with this set back where Court rejected various Petitions upon grounds it is not maintainable will make Imran more resolute in its jest to bring to task people who were responsibie in stealing his mandate. Imran as a first should reject election results, make amends with other political parties like MQM and PPP to force Nawaz Government in calling a snap general elections. It is without a doubt a very sad day in the history of Pakistan where the Government has used state machinery so its legality may not be uncovered.
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Oct 29, 2014 05:49pm
"The court referred to Article 225 of the Constitution on election disputes which says that complaints pertaining to elections are to be resolved by the concerned tribunals". What an excuse by the court. Same old system IK we will win no matter how much the corrupt people try.
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Oct 29, 2014 06:03pm
All these people commenting and criticizing IK are actually supporting the corrupt system. In a nut shell the elections were rigged, all parties agreed elections were rigged, so far whatever the re counts took place proved that the elections were rigged, then i just do not understand why people still support the govt. They are literally seeing some thing is wrong here but they are purposely ignoring it. You might disagree with IK and i get that but what these courts are doing, that is beyond my understanding. these are the same courts that would summon any one who disrespects them, but when it comes to do their job and provide justice, they failed miserably.
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Oct 29, 2014 06:10pm
Can you imagine what money can buy... JUSTICE/INJUSTICE...If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. Folks... There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest.let the media play its proactive role. let us educate the masses. let us bring a revolutionary change...
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Oct 29, 2014 06:14pm
and where else should we go when the tribunals are corrupts? The cases they were supposed to solve in 4 months have not been addressed in 16 months!
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Oct 29, 2014 06:19pm
Legally the courts do have a case, but not ethically.
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Oct 29, 2014 06:20pm
Its is justice or political move by Supreme court.?. Now Supreme court is saving the democracy too..Who will do the justice now ?
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Oct 29, 2014 06:23pm
After Parliament and ECP, will PTI now will protest outside SC as well?
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Oct 29, 2014 06:24pm
@khalid This is the problem with IK. He wants change too quickly.
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Oct 29, 2014 06:24pm
Justice denied.
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Oct 29, 2014 06:33pm
@JackDomm ...Only the weak are cruel. Gentleness can only be expected from the strong
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Oct 29, 2014 07:03pm
@Ali Abbas The Hon'ble SC has done justice. Don't be biased. It is matter of Pakistan ' s survival. It's not a joke. Well done SC.
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Oct 29, 2014 07:27pm
It was expected as the judiciary is also the beneficiary of this corrupt system. It is a shame that courts can take notice of traffic jam but not on the jam at the election tribunals. This just shows that even if PTI waits for the next election the results will be the same. IMHO IK should leave Pakistan and enjoy his life in the west. This nation deserves Zardaris and Sharifs.
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Oct 29, 2014 07:27pm
Law prevails.
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Oct 29, 2014 07:35pm
when our supreme court judges say that they do not know the meaning of sadiq and ameen then what can you expect from them.
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Oct 29, 2014 07:56pm
That is how justice is delivered by the honourable judiciary in the best interest of the prevailing system of which they are active component. IK to wind up otherwise he will be enjoying the charismatic of such decisions in future as well. Asking for fareness from the unfare is futile exercise.
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Oct 29, 2014 07:58pm
@Z Khan," Correct decision, judiciary had and will follow the procedures and law not IK and PTI desires/false dreams." And the tribunals in place will take at least 5 years to decide? You call this justice? What a shame !
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Oct 29, 2014 08:00pm
It is great decision by great court of Pakistan. Being Pakistani i am proud that courts didn't drag themselves in politics IK should wait 4 more years, assemble more votes and show PKP as role model, this way he can be a new PM in next election.
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Oct 29, 2014 08:13pm
@H Chaudhry : Yes Mr. Chaudhry, the corrupt law prevails. Let God take care of Pakistan.
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Oct 29, 2014 08:14pm
Those who wanted chaos in the country are disappointed today. Their dreams are shattered. Container politics should stop now.
Look forward for the betterment of the country and well being of the people.
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Oct 29, 2014 08:27pm
@khalid I am afraid that your faith in electronic voting systems is misplaced. They can be manipulated just like paper ballots but with possibly less chance of being caught.
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Oct 29, 2014 08:52pm
If tribunals are not working or delaying the proceedings,then what is the remedy if Supreme Court is not prepared to entertain petitions against ECP and tribunals.
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Oct 29, 2014 09:02pm
What about Na 125 ,245???
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Oct 29, 2014 09:03pm
good judgement.
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Oct 29, 2014 09:14pm
@Mohsin Hi Mohsin, zi agree with u IK is wasting his time asking his followers to tske part in rallies and sit ins which is a democratic right but instead should do what PML N did and storm the Supremecourt and chase the judges out. may be then he will have a good chance of becoming PM...,,,,
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Oct 29, 2014 09:31pm
Now I believe IK that problem is this system and SC is part of this system. Media showed everything on election day and EC did not follow its own rules in terms of conducting free and fair elections. Constitution is violated and after EC this SC has shown that they all part of a rigged system.
I as a Pakistani have no trust in Pakistan Govt, system and courts. I don't have confidence on the future of this country.
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Oct 29, 2014 09:58pm
....Courts not listening, public on roads, life of people is miserable, government afraid of opening investigations against alleged rigging,....a fiasco
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Oct 29, 2014 10:02pm
What else was to be expected from a pakistani court
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Oct 29, 2014 10:03pm
I wonder what would Imran Khan do now? Ask for elimination of the Supreme Court from Pakistan by calling them a corrupt institution or just settle for removing of all the current justices with the ones he approves. Also, how does it affect the Dharna? is there any more excuse to go on with it? The Supreme Court just wrote the obituary of Imran Khan's demonstrations, Dharna and all his ludicrous demands.
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Oct 29, 2014 10:15pm
Good judgement
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Oct 29, 2014 10:27pm
My deepest condolence to Mr. Imran Khan who has no more excuse to unseat Nawaz Sharif and take over his seat.
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Oct 29, 2014 10:33pm
@AH The courts are useless just because it has not given the judgment of your liking
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Oct 29, 2014 10:34pm
So when the court gives a decision in the favor of PTI or against the government, it is celebrated. However, whenever a judgement is passed that is not anti government, PTI trolls start questioning the integrity of the judiciary. May I ask why the double standards. Excellent and balanced decision by the court.
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Oct 29, 2014 10:36pm
Good sense prevails. PTI needs to put solid evidences forward and not mere hearsay stories endorsed by ex government officials who themselves may have tainted past.
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Oct 29, 2014 10:40pm
This proof that people get justice only in the street...........
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Oct 29, 2014 11:35pm
some people just do not understand IK actions. like his declaration of civil disobedience which people say failed miserably, but they fail to realize is that its real reason was to send a declaration that we do not support this government and that we reject any loans borrowed by the imf or world bank. Meaning if they come into power they will not be obliged to pay loans which the previous government borrowed to spend on themselves.
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Oct 29, 2014 11:38pm
Pakistanis you have no choice but to come out on street everyday until justice is served to you and your children. Imran can not do this by himself.
Have you ever thought about it he is in container for the last 77 days while you Pakistanis are sleeping in comfort of your homes. his electricity was cut because he showed you the corrupt government is asking you to pay as price hike and tax for the corruption they are doing and yet you folks do not come out on street and protest against injustice
Imran is doing all this to make you stand up for your rights and ask questions to the corrupt PMLN ,PPP leaders and MNAs to show their electricity bills to prove that their bills are paid from their own money not from Public funds
What will it take you folks to standup and protest to get rid of the corrupt leaders and system?
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Oct 29, 2014 11:40pm
For PTI justice means decisions in its favor. People are surprised and waiting for the time when PTI will start accepting the realities on the ground. In our neighboring country, thousands of such anomalies were found in their recent elections but there are no such smart politicians in that country who asked their apex court to declare the whole election process null and void. Instead of sitting in the parliament to bring about reforms in the election process our politicians are knocking at the wrong doors.
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Oct 30, 2014 12:43am
No one is supporting IK. Not the ECP, not the RO's, not the CEC, not the Supreme Court , not the army , and not even the ppl of islamabad & pindi which has a combined population of over 3 million.
All IK can manage is a few hundred ppl every night who come, sing & dance, eat free food and go home.
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Oct 30, 2014 01:00am
More than 90 percent delegates in the parliament have confessed on record the election were rigged.What more evidence were needed for the witness to prove the said election rigged.But people come to know who is who and doing what and for what.
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Oct 30, 2014 01:03am
@Truth will Always Prevail Truth must speak.
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Oct 30, 2014 01:34am
@Umair
A few hundred people ? ----- then why is PMLN blaming there economical failures to these people ???
A few hundred should have a zero effect on economy -- right?
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Oct 30, 2014 01:59am
@Fasadi
The courts should give exemplary punishment to raiders of PTV
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Oct 30, 2014 02:10am
@Umair Why shoud all of these support IK? How about perhaps every one do their job and follow the process. Imran never had a case that had any legal basis.
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Oct 30, 2014 02:47am
Do people know how to read? The supreme court didn't say there wasn't any rigging. The Supreme Court merely pointed out that avenues to resolve the effects of rigging continue to exist and therefore, the authority to validate or invalidate election results lies with those tribunals. The supreme court followed the law here - it does not have the authority to invalidate the election due to rigging allegations. In addition, the Supreme Court's judgement implies that in order to invalidate the elections, the tribunals must first be invalidated. i would suggest our disgruntled friends to try to attack this case from that direction.
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Oct 30, 2014 03:05am
Somebody is demanding vote recounts -- somebody is demanding head recount -- both are counter productive demands -- the poor country is in perpetual turmoil by ambitious people in search of grabbing power by hook or by crook wherever they can find it.
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Oct 30, 2014 03:06am
@Mohammad Baig Please tell us why the 90 per cent parliamentarians are still in parliament when they say, according to you, that votes were rigged?
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Oct 30, 2014 04:01am
@Zoab Khan
United Nations!
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Oct 30, 2014 04:03am
@Sabse Pehle Pakistan
Go live with your son in America. :)
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Oct 30, 2014 04:04am
I am happy that court made the right decision.
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Oct 30, 2014 05:27am
@Talha just relax
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Oct 30, 2014 05:30am
@Muzzammil just relax
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Oct 30, 2014 05:36am
@Truth will Always Prevail just relax
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Oct 30, 2014 08:25am
This is the darkest day in the history of Pakistan.....It simply shows that Pakistan is a complete anarchy....there is no justice, no law , no order, only anarchy.......
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Oct 30, 2014 08:27am
@khalid ...What will be the advantage of electronic voting system...If the people developing and maintaining it are corrupt......There is no advantage of any technology without transparency......
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Oct 30, 2014 08:51am
@Confused ...but they had no right to dispose of the petitions...they could have passed remarks.....disposing petitions now has even put the courts into question.....
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