The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday suspended chairman and vice-chairman of UC-139 Nishtar Town, Daroghawala from work.
Justice Ali Akbar Qureshi passed the orders on a petition, filed by a voter, Zamir-ul-Haq Khan, challenging the qualification of chairman and vice-chairman on the basis of bogus nomination papers.
During the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel, arguing before the court, pleaded with the court to disqualify Chairman Muhammad Amjad and Vice Chairman Muhammad Arshad as they contested elections on the basis of bogus nomination papers. He submitted that the nomination papers did not possess signature of the returning officer. He further submitted that returning officer’s remarks regarding acceptance or rejection were also missing on the nomination papers.
A law officer submitted a reply on behalf of the Election Commission, wherein it was admitted that the returning officer’s remarks regarding acceptance or rejection were not found on nomination papers. However, the law officer contended that election tribunal was empowered to hear the election disputes. Therefore, the matter should be referred to the Election Commission or the tribunal, he requested. But, the court stopped chairman and vice-chairman from work and adjourned the matter.
