An election tribunal was apprised on Monday that allegations levelled by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan through his application for voters’ thumb verification could not be re-inquired by another commission/National Database & Registration Authority (NADRA).
This was stated in a reply submitted by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq’s counsel in response to an application filed by the PTI chief for verification of voters’ thumb impressions in NA-122 alleged rigging case which was heard by tribunal comprising Justice (R) Kazim Ali Malik.
The reply insisted that the local commission had already entertained the questions raised by the PTI chief and filed its report on the matter. “Under no principle of law can the exercise be repeated once a report has been given by a commission appointed by this court which falsifies the allegations of the petitioner,” it added.
The reply contended that NADRA had clearly stated that all CNICs issued until 2005 could not be used for verification of SIMs.
“This fact alone shows that thumb impressions taken for CNICs until 2005 cannot be used to identify persons from whom such thumb impressions were obtained” it added.
“The reply submitted that no useful purpose would be served in the verification exercise as it would be a waste of public time and money”, it added.
Referring to various defects of ink used in elections, the tribunal was requested through the reply to dismiss Khan’s application.
However, the tribunal handing over a copy of the reply to Khan’s counsel adjourned the matter till May 27 and directed both parties to give arguments, on next date of hearing.