ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) reinstated a local PPP leader, Dr Abdul Sattar Rajper, as member of the Sindh assembly on Thursday.

Dr Rajper was elected to the provincial assembly in last year’s general elections from the PS-22 Naushero Feroze constituency.

His election was subsequently challenged by his rival Arif Mustafa Jatoi. A post-election tribunal in Karachi declared on October 4 his election void and asked the ECP to de-seat him.

Dr Rajper moved the Supreme Court against the decision and the court annulled the tribunal’s decision on October 27.

Meanwhile, the ECP issued on Oct 20 a schedule for by-election in the constituency. The by-election was scheduled for November 29.

But now through a fresh notification the ECP has cancelled its earlier notifications and restored Dr Rajper as member of the provincial assembly.

The ECP has also suspended the schedule for by-election in PS-22 until further orders.

Published in Dawn, November 7th, 2014