By Imtiaz Hussain Abro.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) is set to approach election tribunals on Monday to contest the rejection of nomination papers for numerous candidates, including party founder Imran Khan, as reported by daily benazir.
This move follows the failure of most PTI nominees to pass the scrutiny of nomination papers filed for the upcoming 2024 general elections.
Raoof Hasan, the Party’s Central Information Secretary, stated that all the rejected nomination papers, in accordance with the rules, would be initially contested in the tribunals, and other options would be explored subsequently. Additionally, PTI Central Punjab Additional General Secretary Sardar Azeemullah Khan mentioned that the party had instructed all candidates to file appeals against the decisions made by Returning Officers (ROs). Some candidates would file appeals with private lawyers, while others would receive assistance from the party.
Candidates have obtained certified copies of the ‘rejection decisions’ from respective ROs and will commence filing appeals with the appellate tribunals. On December 30, the Election Commission of Pakistan rejected numerous PTI nomination forms across the country, prompting the party to challenge the decision at relevant forums.
Barrister Gohar Khan and Barrister Umair Khan Niazi are scheduled to meet the party’s founder, Imran Khan, in Adiala Jail on Monday to seek his approval for the selection of party candidates and the subsequent issuance of tickets.
According to Central Punjab nomination papers data, 281 candidates submitted papers for 44 NA constituencies. Among these, 95 nomination papers were rejected, while 186 were accepted.
PTI leaders alleged that ROs from the civil bureaucracy did not exercise independent decision-making, instead waiting for orders from unspecified “quarters.” They pointed to an instance where the RO for NA-132 (Kasur-II) initially listed PTI candidate Muhammad Saleem among validly nominated candidates but later issued a revised list excluding him.
The PTI also launched a ‘WhatsApp’ account to collect video and pictorial evidence of “pre-poll rigging” in the lead-up to elections. A message shared on PTI’s social media encouraged individuals to share details, pictures, and videos if they observed any pre-polling rigging in a particular constituency.
