LAHORE (Dunya News) - The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has ordered the returning officer (RO) of NA-128 to submit the detailed record of the constituency.
Shah Muhammad Jatoi, a member representing ECP Balochistan chapter, and Ikramullah, a member from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, presided over the hearing on alleged electoral irregularities in the NA-128 constituency.
During the proceedings, Salman Akram Raja, the independent candidate backed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), appeared before the ECP.
The petitioner, Salman Akram Raja, emphasised the need for a thorough scrutiny of polling result forms - Form-45, Form-47, and Form-48.
He raised concerns about the preparation of Form-47 in his absence despite a court order specifying that it should be prepared in the presence of all contesting candidates.
Salman Akram urged the commission to inspect the original Form-45, believing that it would help clarify any discrepancies. He also pointed out that the court had directed the preparation of Form-47 in the presence of all candidates.
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The ECP adjourned the case hearing until Feb 21 and directed the returning officer to submit detailed record of the NA-128 constituency.
It may be recalled that in NA-128, Istehkam-e- Pakistan Party (IPP) had made seat adjustment with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the latter had not fielded its candidate against Awn Chaudhry.
Awn Chaudhry bagged 172,576 votes whereas Salman Akram Raja could manage to secure 159,024 votes. He has challenged the election result and has filed the plea in Lahore High Court on polls rigging.