LAHORE: GA Khan Tariq of the Independent Group, also known as late Asma Jahangir group, was on Saturday elected president of the Lahore Bar Association (LBA) for 2020-21.

Tariq secured 3,055 votes, while his main rival Rana Intizar Hussain of Hamid Khan-led Professional Group bagged 2,075.

Mian Jahangir, the third and independent candidate, could get 825 votes, as per results announced by the Election Board Chairman Imran Masood.

Leaders of the Independent Group, including Ahsan Bhoon, Azam Nazir Tarar and Abid Saqi congratulated Mr Tariq on his victory.

The balloting was held on biometric system which enabled the election board to announce the results soon after the polling ended at 5pm. As many as 6,104 bar members exercised their right to vote out of a total of 9,996 eligible voters.

Supporters of the winners celebrated victory by dancing to drum beats and shouting slogans. Some of them also resorted to aerial firing to celebrate their favourite candidates’ victory despite a ban on such practices.

On two slots of secretary, Rehan Ahmad Khan and Sultan Hassan Malik were elected by getting 3,406 and 3,253 votes, respectively.

Rana Muhammad Naeem and Karam Nizam Rawn were elected as vice presidents with 2,754 and 2,273 votes, respectively.

On Model Town seat of vice president, Nadeem Zia Butt was declared winner with 3,480 votes against his opponent Rana Kausar, who got 2,114 votes.

Mian Usama bagged the joint secretary slot with 2,590 votes, while Ali Imran Bhatti was elected as finance secretary by securing 4,464 votes. Imran Rafiq was elected as auditor. He obtained 3,126 votes.

Published in Dawn, January 12th, 2020