LAHORE: The Lahore High Court’s Election Tribunal (ET) has taken a significant step by directing the Election Commission of Pakistan to present the record of Form-45 pertaining to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.
This directive comes in response to challenges against her victory in the general elections.
Justice Anwar Hussain of the ET presided over the hearing of an appeal filed by Mehar Shafqat, who contested against Maryam Nawaz from PP 159, Lahore. Shafqat argued that the notification of Maryam Nawaz’s victory does not align with the facts and should be invalidated.
During the proceedings, Maryam Nawaz’s legal team contended that the appeal against her victory based on Form-45 is not admissible. Justice Anwar Hussain inquired about the number of polling stations in PP-159, to which the ECP counsel stated there were 102 registered polling stations according to the polling scheme.
Highlighting the urgency mandated by law in handling election appeals, Justice Anwar Hussain emphasized expeditious proceedings. The tribunal also queried why Form-45, which includes signatures of the presiding officer and other candidates, was not uploaded on the ECP’s website.
In response, the Election Commission’s lawyer requested time to present the original records of Form-45, which the tribunal granted. As a result, the case has been adjourned until the final week of July, awaiting the submission of the requested documents.
