Rana Zia Abdur Rehman of Professional group, led by Hamid Khan, has become president of the Lahore High Court Bar Association for the year 2016 by defeating his rival Ramzan Chaudhry of Asma Jahangir’s independent group. Rana Rehman bagged 4,279 votes while Ramzan Chaudhry could only clinch 3,795 votes.
After his victory, Rehman said he would work for welfare of the legal fraternity and play his due role for positive relation of the bar and bench. He said he believed in the supremacy of law and order, and would continue his struggle in this regard.
The seat of vice-president was won by Sardar Tahir Shahbaz with 2,065 votes. Ch Muhammad Saleem was his only rival who got 1,501 votes as others hardly crossed the figure of 1,000 votes.
Around 9,000 voters exercised their franchise right to elect new leadership of the bar.
The elections were held at Kiyani Hall and newly constructed hall of the Lahore High Court Bar Association.
It was first time in the bar’s history that the elections were held through biometric system. The streets, walls and roads leading to the bar and premises of the LHC had been decorated with stickers, posters and banners of the candidates.
Small brochures and cards of candidates scattered across bar rooms. The whole process of voting was monitored through cameras. No bar member was allowed to enter the polling area without CNIC cards.
Tight security arrangements had been put in place. Heavy police contingents were deployed at all main gates of the Lahore High Court and bar gates.