The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has rejected the plea by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, challenging the poll results for NA-15, Mansehra.
The two-member bench, led by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, heard the petition, but Nawaz’s lawyer was absent initially.
The returning officer submitted a report, stating that the results were compiled in accordance with the Form 45.
Nawaz’s lawyer, Jehangir Jadoon, later appeared, requesting not to dismiss the petition, but the ECP directed him to file it again.
The bench rejected a request to stop the notification of the successful candidate, Muhammad Gushtasib Khan.
Simultaneously, the ECP suspended the victory notification of Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) candidate Awn Chaudhry in NA-128 (Lahore) due to a petition by a PTI-backed candidate, Salman Akram Raja.
The ECP set February 19 for hearing Salman Akram’s petition.
In another development, an inquiry committee, headed by Nadeem Haider, ADG Elections, was formed by the ECP bench to investigate irregularities in NA-27, Khyber.
The petitioner alleged rigging, forgery, and manipulation, providing original stamped ballot papers as evidence.
The committee will submit a report within seven days, and the matter will be fixed for February 21 with the returned candidate’s notification suspended.
Additionally, the ECP addressed an application from Eman Waseem, a contesting candidate from NA-50, Attock, regarding result consolidation concerns.
The bench directed the district returning officer to ensure the presence of the returning officer in the office and to decide on the application in accordance with the law and the ECP’s previous order from February 11, 2024.
