ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan reserved on Wednesday its judgement in a case filed by National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq against Aleem Khan of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf for allegedly submitting fake affidavits about transfer of votes from NA-122.

An ECP bench headed by Chief Election Commis­sioner retired Justice Sardar Mohammad Raza Khan will announce the verdict on May 2.

Aleem Khan’s counsel Farrukh Daal said in a written reply that about 180 affidavits had been declared fake without any investigation. He said the affidavits about transfer of votes without the consent of voters prior to the by-polls in NA-122 had been submitted by voters, and not by Aleem Khan.

The counsel argued that the application filed by the NA speaker was not maintainable, adding that neither the tribunal nor the ECP heard the voters who had submitted the affidavits.

He requested the commission to dismiss Ayaz Sadiq’s application.

After hearing arguments from both sides, the commission reserved the judgement till May 2.

The ECP had in February rejected a petition filed by Aleem Khan alleging transfer of thousands of votes from NA-122 and said it reserved the right to proceed against the petitioner for submitting bogus affidavits.

The commission’s order on the petition said it had been observed with serious concern that some affidavits filed by the petitioner were absolutely false and, therefore, it reserved the right to proceed against the petitioner after the final decision by the election tribunal on the matter.

After the ECP’s declaration, Aleem Khan accused all members of the commission of being biased and announcing the order under the government pressure.

Meanwhile, according to Farrukh Daal, a case relating to violation of the code of conduct by Railways Minister Khwaja Saad Rafiq was also to be heard by the commission, but the minister did not turn up. He said the commission had decided to announce the judgement in this case on May 12.

Published in Dawn, April 28th, 2016