Testifying before Justice (r) Kazim Ali Malik’s election tribunal hearing an election petition filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan challenging the election of National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) Chairman Usman Yusuf Mobin Saturday said that 99.93 percent votes polled in NA-122 Lahore constituency in General Election 2013 were valid.
Responding to query by Sadiq’s counsel, the NADRA chief also re-affirmed that he had told the judicial commission that according to statistical expectations, 97 percent votes polled in 2013 polls were valid.
The chairman was summoned by the tribunal for testimony and cross examination in connection with forensic reports filed by NADRA after thumb verification of voters in NA-122 and PP-147 constituencies. Counsel of both the parties cross-examined the chairman during the hearing.
PTI chief’s counsel requested the tribunal that supplementary report submitted by NADRA should not be made part of the record as it was not mandated.
However, NA speaker’s counsel opposed the request saying that the report was prepared as per terms of reference framed by the tribunal. He said that the main forensic report was prepared under the supervision of NADRA chairman and the supplementary report was also supervised by him. He said that NADRA, after re-verification, submitted the supplementary report and corrected mistakes in its main report.
Adjourning matter till June 15, the tribunal reserved its verdict on plea for not making the supplementary report a part of the record
It is pertinent to mention that NADRA in its supplementary report had admitted that 96.7 percent of 6,123 used counterfoils having invalid CNIC numbers in NA-122 could be considered as valid voters.
