Summary The UC-107 Chairman is also a strong contender of the ruling party for Lord Mayorship
LAHORE (Dunya News) – Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday has rejected plea seeking Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) Khawaja Hassan’s ineligibility for Lord Mayorship in the local body (LB) elections.
Hassan was elected unopposed for Union Council (UC) 107 Chairman which was later challenged in the high court. A voter, Aziz Masood had challenged his election and stated in plea that Hassan has not completed two years after leaving previous government posts.
READ ALSO: Khawaja Hassaan elected as Chairman UC 107 unopposed
It should be mentioned here according to the law, any government servant cannot contest LB polls in two years following retirement or resignation. The plea stated that Hassan had served in Lahore Development Authority (LDA) among other departments.
However, counsel for the defense said that his client was appointed on government post on honourary grounds and he had not taken any facilities from the government. He also nullified petitioner’s stance by saying Masood had not filed his reservations before the concerned returning officer (RO).
READ MORE: Khawaja Ahmad Hassan s appointment as UC-107 Chairman challenged in LHC
Following completion of arguments from both the sides, the LHC threw the petition out and upheld Hassan’s unopposed win.
The UC-107 Chairman is also a strong contender of the ruling party for Lord Mayorship.
Earlier in the first phase of LB polls, PML-N won the majority of seats in Punjab and while the Pakistan People s Party (PPP) secured most seats in Sindh. The Nawaz-led party shadowed competitors with 1,159 out of 2,696 UC seats. The independent canididates gained 997 seats in the first phase.
READ MORE ABOUT FIRST PHASE: PML-N, PPP secure thumping majority in Punjab, Sindh LB polls
On the other hand, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has commenced printing of ballot papers for the second phase of local government elections in Punjab and Sindh. Reportedly, a total of 25 million ballot papers will be printed for Punjab and nearly 17.5 million ballot papers will be printed for Sindh.
According to ECP notification, distribution of ballot papers will begin on November 12.
READ MORE: ECP begins printing of ballot papers for second phase of LB polls in Punjab, Sindh
Punjab Government has demanded deployment of army in the second phase. According to ECP Secretary, Punjab government has written a letter, asking to depute army personnel at polling stations to avoid any mishap.
