The success of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Nawaz Sharif in NA-130 Lahore has been challenged by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed independent candidate Dr. Yasmin Rashid’s lawyer, Ishtiaq Chaudhry, in the Lahore High Court.
According to the petition filed by Ishtiaq Chaudhry, the Returning Officer and Election Commission, among others, have been made respondents, alleging that Nawaz Sharif declared himself victorious in Form 47, despite losing according to Form 45.
Yasmin Rashid’s lawyer argued that Nawaz Sharif’s victory declaration in Form 47 contradicts the court’s order to release the results according to Form 45.
It is pertinent to mention that in NA-130 Lahore, as per unofficial and non-governmental results, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s Muhammad Nawaz Sharif secured victory with 171,024 votes, while Yasmin Rashid trailed with 115,043 votes.
Meanwhile, another independent candidate from Lahore, Malik Touqeer Khokhar, has challenged the results of NA-126.
In his petition, Malik Touqeer Khokhar has named the RO and the Election Commission, among others, as respondents, claiming that Saif-ul-Malook Khokhar lost according to Form 45. Saif-ul-Malook Khokhar declared himself victorious in Form 47, and subsequently, the DS office dismissed him and his lawyers.
Malik Touqeer Khokhar argued that in his absence, the results were announced, and the court has been requested to prevent the Election Commission from releasing the final results.
These challenges to the election results in NA-130 and NA-126 highlight the contentious nature of the electoral process and the legal battles that often ensue in the aftermath of elections in Pakistan.
