ISLAMABAD: The Election Tribunal on Thursday directed the Returning Officer to submit record of Forms 45, 46, and 47 in the alleged rigging in NA-46 and NA-47 during general elections 2024.
Islamabad High Court’s Election Tribunal, presided over by Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, heard the election petitions filed by PTI candidate Amir Mughal against Anjum Aqeel Khan concerning alleged rigging in NA-46 and PTI’s Shoaib Shaheen petition against PML-N MNA Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry from NA-47.
During the hearing, the Election Commission’s lawyer stated that they had submitted Forms 45, 46, and 47 but had not received copies of the petitions.
The tribunal instructed the petitioner to provide copies to the Election Commission and ordered the Returning Officer to submit the necessary forms. The Returning Officer’s lawyer requested additional time, citing that he was added to the case only the previous day.
During the hearing, the counsel for Anjum Aqeel Khan argued that Amir Mughal’s petition was inadmissible as it did not meet the necessary requirements.
At which the court asked Amir Mughal’s lawyer to respond to the objection and inquired about the date of the gazette notification, confirming Anjum Aqeel’s victory. Amir Mughal’s lawyer stated that the notification was issued on February 19, while the Election Commission’s lawyer contended it was dated February 13, making Amir Mughal’s petition late. Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri remarked that the case would be decided according to the law and adjourned the hearing until July 22, after Muharram.
Meanwhile, the IHC’s election tribunal ordered the returning officer to submit records of Form 45 uploads in the case against alleged rigging in the NA-47 elections and adjourned the hearing.
Justice Tariq Mahmood Jahangiri of the election tribunal conducted the hearing on the petition against alleged rigging in the NA-47 elections in Islamabad.
During the hearing, lawyer Tariq Fazal Chaudhry stated that he had submitted responses and Forms 45, 46, and 47.
Meanwhile, PML-N MNA Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry requested the dismissal of Shoaib Shaheen’s petition as inadmissible, citing that Section 145 of the Election Act gives the tribunal the power of suo motu action and the tribunal can dismiss the request.
The ECP’s lawyer stated that there was no separate record for the EMS; it is a system meant to work electronically. The presiding officer was supposed to upload photos to the system, which was with the RO, not the presiding officers, who were to send snapshots.
