NA-249 by-poll
-SC declines to suspend ECP order on re-polling in NA-75 Daska
From Zeeshan Mirza
KARACHI: Keeping in view the security concerns, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday sought deployment of Pakistan Army and Rangers personnel inside and outside polling stations for the by-election in the National Assembly constituency of NA-249, Karachi.
According to the details, ECP has sought Rangers and Pakistan Army’s assistance to ensure a free, fair and transparent by-poll in the constituency.
The security personnel will be deployed at all the polling stations to avoid any untoward incident, said ECP.
Earlier on March 11, the Election Commission of Pakistan had unveiled the schedule of by-elections in the NA-249 constituency of Karachi which was vacated by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Faisal Vawda after winning the Senate polls. The by-elections in the NA-249 Karachi constituency would be held on April 29. According to the ECP spokesperson, the nomination papers would be accepted from March 13 to 17.
Meanwhile in the day, Supreme Court (SC) once again rejected Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) plea seeking suspension of Election Commission of Pakistan’s decision regarding re-polling in NA-75 Daska.
During the proceedings, ECP submitted a report mentioning that on the day of by-polls, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) had called chief secretary, IGP numerous times but they didn’t respond.
PTI’s lawyer in his argument stated before the court that his client has no issue with re-polling at 20 polling stations and pleaded with the court to nullify the ECP’s ruling until the hearing of the case in the apex court.
Nothing will change even we nullify the ECP’s orders, remarked Justice Muneeb Akhtar, Justice Umar Ata Bandial we respect the constitutional institutions. “It is good to go ahead this time.”
Is aerial firing such an issue to order re-poll in the constituency? Justice Bandial asked and added that action can be taken against the police over its failture.
Earlier in the day, the court was told that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Nosheen Iftikhar’s lawyer Salman Akram Raja has contracted coronavirus due to which he won’t be able to attend the hearing. Azam Nazeer further said that if the court wants then Salman Akram Raja can record his arguments via video link. Later, the court adjourned the hearing of the case until next week.
It is to be noted here that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) ordered re-polling at all polling stations of NA-75 Sialkot-Daska over rigging. The Election Commission of Pakistan has rescheduled the NA-75 Daska by-election. According to a notification, the by-polls in the Punjab constituency will now be held on April 10.
