LAHORE: An election tribunal comprising Justice Anwaar Hussain of the Lahore High Court on Friday summoned the complete record of seven constituencies of national and provincial assemblies, including that of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

The tribunal conducted initial hearings on the election petitions filed by the runner-up candidates, most of them PTI-backed independent candidates, from the constituencies of Lahore.

Mehar Sharafat Ali filed an election petition against the victory of CM Maryam Nawaz from PP-159 alleging rigging in the Feb 8 election.

As per the results announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), Ms Nawaz bagged 23,598 votes while petitioner Ali got 21,491 votes.Advocate Salman Akram Raja of the PTI challenged the victory of Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party (IPP) leader Awn Chaudhry from NA-128.

The election petition asked the court to declare the victory notification of Awn Chaudhry null and void.

Chaudhry secured 172,576 votes against 159,024 of Raja.

Ali Ijaz of the PTI challenged the victory of Federal Minister for Privatisation Abdul Aleem Khan from NA-117.

Aleem Khan, also president of the IPP, won the election by getting 91,498 votes while the runner-up candidate obtained 80,838 votes.

Malik Tauqeer Abbas Khokhar of the PTI filed the election petition against the victory of PML-N’s Malik Saiful Malook Khokhar from NA-126.

The returned candidate had bagged 67,117 votes against 60,479 secured by the runner-up.

PTI’s incarcerated leader Aaliya Hamza challenged the victory of Hamza Shehbaz, son of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, from NA-118.

Hamza secured 105,960 votes against 100,803 of Aaliya.

PML-N’s Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan also filed an election petition challenging the victory of Sunni Ittehad Council MPA Misbah Wajid for PP-172.

Ms Wajid won the seat by securing 31,378 votes while Khan obtained 28,647 votes.

After hearing the initial contention of the petitioners’ lawyers, the election tribunal issued notices to the ECP for submission of the complete record of the constituencies in question, including Forms 45, 46 and 47.

The tribunal will resume its hearing on June 27.

“All the respondents are directed to file written reply/written statementalong with all relevant documents,” said the order issued by the tribunal.

The tribunal also directed the private respondents (the returned candidates) to file original Forms-45 and 46 issued to them by the ECP.

The ECP is also directed to file certified copies of Forms-45, 46 and 47 along with affidavit as well as result, which have been uploaded on the Election Management System by the presiding officers.

The tribunal ordered a law officer to ensure compliance of the order and the petitioners is to deposit necessary expenses within seven days.

In case of failure to deposit process fee, the penal consequences will follow, the order said.

Published in Dawn, June 22nd, 2024