LHC adjourns hearing of election petitions against MNA, MPA

LAHORE: Lahore High Court has adjourned for tomorrow (Wednesday) the hearing of two election petitions challenging the validity of the election of an MNA and an MPA.
Mian Abdul Mannan, a defeated candidate of PML-N from NA-83 , Faisalabad challenged the validity of his rival Muhammad Ejaz Ahmad Virk's victory. The petitioner stated that according to the election result he secured 55861 votes while his rival got 56910 votes and declared successful by the election commission.
He alleged that MNA Ejaz Virk used his influence on the local authorities and rigged the polls during the counting of ballots. He further stated that the concerned Returning Officer dismissed his application seeking recounting of all ballots including the rejected votes so he filed a petition before this election tribunal.
Abdul Mannan prayed the Election Tribunal to declare his rival's election void and notified him successful candidate.
Justice Syed Asghar Haider after hearing the arguments adjourned the hearing for tomorrow.
The same ET also adjourned the hearing of an election petition of Rana Aftab a defeated candidate from PP-63 Faisalabad who challenged the validity of his rival Muhammad Ajmal' election.
The petitioner alleged that his rival submitted a bogus graduation degree before the election commission with his nomination papers. He further alleged that Muhammad Ajmal submitted a Sanad of a religious institute (Madarrsa) named Darul Aloom Mehmoodia Bannu that was not affiliated with Wafaq-ul-Mudaras and Higher Education Commission.
Rana Aftab stated that he got 28958 votes while his rival got 29913 votes and declared successful.-APP