LHC suspends Notification of PML-N Candidate's Victory in Gujranwala Recount
Lahore, April 4: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has suspended the notification declaring PML-N candidate Azhar Qayyum Nahra victorious in the recount from NA-81 constituency, Gujranwala.
The decision came in response to a challenge lodged by Bilal Ejaz Chaudhry, an independent candidate supported by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf, against the declaration of Azhar Qayyum Nahra's success in the recount. Justice Shahid Karim of the Lahore High Court presided over the hearing of Bilal Ejaz Chaudhry's petition.
In the petition, it was argued that Bilal Ejaz Chaudhry was initially declared victorious by a margin of 8,000 votes. However, following the recounting process, the Election Commission declared Azhar Qayyum Nahra as the successful candidate. After deliberating on the arguments presented by both parties, the court decided to suspend the notification of Azhar Qayyum Nahra's victory from NA-81 Gujranwala.
It is pertinent to mention that in the comprehensive results of Gujranwala Constituency NA-81 during the general elections held on February 8, independent candidate Chaudhry Bilal Ejaz, backed by Tehreek-e-Insaf, emerged victorious, defeating PML-N candidate Azhar Qayyum Nahra. Chaudhry Bilal Ejaz secured 113,558 votes, while his opponent, Azhar Qayyum Nahra of PML-N, garnered 95,479 votes.
Subsequently, Azhar Qayyum Nahra, the PML-N candidate for NA-81, contested the election results. Following a reserved decision by the Election Commission on the request for recounting in the constituency, a recount was ordered for 75 specific polling stations. The returning officer announced the revised result, indicating a lead of 3,197 votes for Azhar Qayyum Nahra in the recount, leading to his declaration of victory.
