Malik Riaz had not rigged the elections of NA-118: Election Tribunal

Lahore: The election Tribunal has declared that PML-N MNA Malik Riaz from NA-118 had not rigged the elections so the looser Hamid Zaman’s petition is dismissed.

The court observed that irregularities were found during the elections but no proof was present before the court of rigging committed by the winning candidate.

The court gave verdict that winning candidate could not be punished for the irregularities done by the election staff.

The APP has added that an election tribunal on Wednesday dismissed an election petition filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s Hamid Zaman against the election of Malik Riaz of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) as MNA from NA-118 Lahore. The court directed the petitioner to pay the cost to the respondent.
The tribunal ordered the Election Commission of Pakistan to hold an inquiry regarding costing of double votes by 291 voters, as per National Database & Registration Authority’s two scanning reports. After inquiry, if any voter/member of polling staff who facilitated him found guilty then the commission should proceed against them in accordance with law, it added.

The tribunal comprising Judge Muhammad Rashid Qamar announced the verdict on Wednesday which had been reserved on November 24 after hearing arguments of both parties.

Earlier, the petitioner’s counsel submitted that his client lost elections from NA-118 constituency. He alleged that the respondent PML-N Member of the National Assembly (MNA) had committed rigging to secure his victory. He asked the court to declare the election  results void and ordered re-polling in the constituency.

However, the respondent’s counsel said that the NADRA’s report had confirmed the elections were conducted in a free, fair and transparent manner. No evidence emerged which proves rigging or demands any further action on the petitioner’s plea.