- RO rejects all objections of PPP, Awami Tehreek
The Election Commission of Pakistan on Thursday accepted nomination papers of Pakistan Muslim League-N candidate Kulsoom Nawaz and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf candidate Dr Yasmin Rashid for the NA-120 by-polls.
PML-N leader Senator Dr Asif Kirmani appeared before Returning Officer (RO) Mohammad Shahid on behalf of Kulsoom Nawaz. Total nine objections were filed on the papers of the PML-N candidate. The RO heard the objection for almost two hours.
The PTI’s covering candidate for NA-120 Andleeb Abbas herself appeared before the RO amid huge crowd. The Pakistan People’s Party raised objections through its counsel and got most time for this purpose before the officer. Rejecting all objections raised by the PPP and the Pakistan Awami Tehreek, the RO accepted her nomination papers.
The Election Commission completed the scrutiny of nomination papers filed by candidates for bye-election NA-120, Lahore-III. According to ECP, the last date for filling of appeals against decisions of the returning officer rejecting or accepting the nomination papers will be August 21.
The last date for deciding of appeals by the Appellate Tribunal will be August 24, while the last date for withdrawal of candidature will be August 25. The publication of the revised list of candidates will be on August 26, while the polling will be held on September 17.
It said that the commission has established a central monitoring cell at ECP Secretariat Islamabad to monitor the by elections in NA-120, Lahore-III. The commission has also constituted monitoring teams to fully monitor the code of conduct and other directives of ECP for by elections.
These teams with having 27 officials will continue reporting to ECP Secretariat and take legal action on time. The cell could be approached on telephone number 051-9217108 for any complaint.
A large number of supporters of the PML-N and PTI were present inside the office of the provincial election commission and office of the RO. The PTI supporters were shouting anti-Nawaz slogans while PML-N supporters were raising ‘lion is coming to roar.’ A heavy contingent of police was present inside and outside the area.
Hafiz Nauman, covering candidate for Kulsoom Nawaz, was also present in the ECP office. Talking to the media after acceptance of the nomination papers, Senator Kirmani said that the opponents had leveled allegation against Kulsoom Nawaz but they had no proofs.
“These were the objection which Imran Khan and his companions were raising since long. I was smiling when the opponents were raising objections before the RO. The opponents are working against the interest of Pakistan by rising against Nawaz Sharif,” he said.
The by-elections for the National Assembly seat will be held on September 17. The seat fell vacant after Supreme Court disqualified Nawaz Sharif in Panama Papers case on July 28.
On Thursday, Kulsoom left for London and will return to Pakistan on September 23. It is expected that former premier Nawaz Sharif will launch her election campaign in NA-120. Returning Officer also accepted nomination papers of Dr Yasmin Rashid. A tough competition is expected between the two candidates.
Speaking to the media, Dr Yasmin lashed out at Kulsoom Nawaz. Criticizing her opponent candidate’s visit to London, she said: “Now Pakistan will be controlled from London. We beg votes. We do not purchase votes. If Nawaz Sharif runs a campaign for her, then he will be disrespecting the court orders.”
