Election Tribunal Judges express outrage at Returning Officers' decisions
ISLAMABAD, Jan 03: Judges of the Election Tribunal voiced their displeasure regarding the actions of Returning Officers (ROs), particularly their decisions to reject nomination papers, sparking the judges' ire.
Justice Chaudhry Abdul Aziz, a member of the Election Tribunal, on Wednesday overturned the RO's decision to reject papers of Umair Khan Niazi's advocate in Mianwali (N 89 and 90). The judge ordered Umair Niazi's name to be added to the list of candidates and the allocation of election symbols.
Expressing bewilderment, Fazil Judge questioned the rationale behind ROs rejecting papers over minor issues. The judges criticized the failure to provide certified copies of the decisions to reject nomination papers, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the law and constitution.
Justice Mirza Waqas Rauf, a High Court judge on the Election Tribunal, expressed frustration over the RO's non-appearance and refusal to furnish a copy of the decision to former provincial minister Raja Basharat.
Meanwhile, in the Islamabad High Court, Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir instructed the Election Commission to respond to all petitions, consolidating submissions from petitioners including Shoaib Shaheen, Niazullah Niazi, and Syed Zafar Ali Shah. The court questioned the RO's failure to grant time for the resolution of objections, despite having the authority to do so.
In the Lahore High Court's Appellate Tribunal, Judge Raheel Kamran issued notices to the Returning Officer and others in a hearing on the appeal against the rejection of nomination papers for Naeem Panjuta from Sargodha.
