Court be told on what grounds orders were issued for re-polling in NA75 Daska: SC
Supreme Court (SC) has adjourned till March 16 the hearing of petition filed against the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) decision for re-polling in NA-75 Daska.
The court has maintained ECP announced short decision of re-polling in respect of NA-75 by polls on February 25. ECP announced detailed decision about re-polling in NA-75 Daska on March 08. We will take review of ECP March 08 detailed decision.
The SC while issuing notice to ECP has maintained that it should file all the record about its re-polling decision in by polls at NA-75 Daska on next hearing.
SC while issuing notices to PML-N candidate Nousheen Iftikhar and others has ordered Nousheen Iftikhar to file the relevant record.
SC has maintained the petition seeking stay order against ECP decision will be reviewed on next hearing.
A 3-member bench of SC presided over by Justice Umar Ata Bandial took up for hearing PTI candidate Ali Amjid Malhi petition against the ECP decision for nullifying by polls in NA-75 Daska Wednesday.
Shahzad Shaukat counsel for Ali Amjid Malhi took the plea that PML-N had raised objection on only 23 polling stations. According to Returning Officer (RO) no objection was raised on the result of 340 out of 360 polling stations. ECP detailed decision was announced on March 8 wherein it was ordered to conduct re-polling in the entire constituency. ECP overstepped its powers by ordering re-polling in NA-75 Daska. ECP has no powers to conduct re-polling in the entire constituency. Preparations are being made and expenses are being incurred for re-polling in the constituency after ECP order. ECP can hold re-polling in 23 polling stations which are controversial. In different cases the SC had ordered for re-polling in affected polling stations. It is requested that the ECP order for re-polling in the entire constituency be suspended.
Justice Umar Ata Bandial remarked may be the hearing of the case is completed before polling day. ECP is bound to hold election in fair and transparent manner under article 218(3) . On next hearing the petitioner plea for stay order will be considered.
Suleman Akram Raja counsel for PML-N candidate Nousheen Iftikahr argued 23 presiding officers were abducted after polling in NA-75. As per report filed in ECP 14 presiding officer disappeared. Firing incidents occurred on other polling stations as well. We will provide record in this connection.
Justice Sajjad Ali Shah remarked ECP has powers to initiate action without any complaint. The court be told on what grounds the ECP ordered for re-polling in the constituency.
The court adjourned the hearing of the case till March 16
