The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has responded to a letter sent by the JUI-F emir Maulana Fazlur Rehman to the chief election commissioner over the notification of Sadaf Ehsan as JUI-F’s MNA on a reserved seat.

Mr Rehman had criticised the move and termed it “either an ill-intended move or lack of competence” on ECP’s part, as there was no woman named Sadaf Ehsan on JUI-F’s list of reserved seats’ candidates.

In its reply, the ECP said that Sadaf Yasmeen’s name was included on the list submitted by JUI-F to the returning offi­cer (RO), and the party also claimed that she, not Sadaf Ehsan, is their candidate.

But no candidate of such name had submitted nomination papers, the ECP said, adding that a woman named Sadaf Ehsan, a resident of Lakki Marwat, did submit her nomination papers.

“Therefore, to remove this dispute, notices have been issued to all concerned and open hearing of the case has been decided to resolve the matter,” the ECP said, adding that the commission has also ordered an inquiry into the incident and suspended the RO.

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