PTI Rehana challenges Khawaja Asif's NA-71 victory in High Court
LAHORE, Feb 10: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf backed independent candidate Rehana Dar has filed a legal challenge against the declared victory of PML-N's Khawaja Asif in the heavily contested Sialkot NA-71 constituency. Dar's petition, filed in the Lahore High Court, alleges serious discrepancies and irregularities in the election process, raising concerns about the integrity of the results.
The heart of Dar's challenge lies in the apparent contradiction between Form 45 and Form 47, two crucial documents used in vote counting and declaration. According to the petition, Form 45, reflecting individual polling station results, reportedly showed Dar leading the race. However, the final declaration in Form 47 awarded the victory to Asif, raising suspicion of manipulation.
Dar further alleges collusion between Asif and the returning officer, accusing them of manipulating the results in favor of the PML-N candidate. She has urged the court to mandate the release of results based on Form 45, essentially nullifying the contested Form 47 declaration. Additionally, Dar has requested a recount in the entire constituency, seeking to confirm her claims of irregularities.
This legal challenge throws a spotlight on the ongoing concerns about electoral transparency and fair play in Pakistan. Dar's petition, if successful, could have wide-ranging implications, potentially leading to a change in the declared winner of the seat and raising questions about the legitimacy of other close contests.
Meanwhile, Khawaja Asif has dismissed the allegations as baseless, defending the election process and his own victory. He has expressed confidence in the judicial system and expects the court to uphold the declared results.
With the High Court set to hear the petition soon, the battle for NA-71 is far from over. The outcome of this case will be closely watched not only by the residents of Sialkot but also by the entire nation, as it could set a precedent for future election disputes and contribute to the ongoing debate on electoral reforms in Pakistan.
