The results of 10 National Assembly seats and 16 provincial assemblies’ seats in Pakitan have been withheld after being challenged by the losing candidates, ARY News reported.
According to ARY News, losing candidates in 10 National Assembly constituencies and 16 provincial assembly seats challenged the results, after which ECP withheld them.
The Returning Officers of NA-15 Manshera, NA-46 Islamabad-I، NA-47 Islamabad-II and NA-48 Islamabad-III have been directed not to release the results.
In addition, the results of NA-55 Rawalpindi, NA-49 and NA-50 Attock have been challenged۔ The results of the National Assembly constituencies NA-65, NA-63 and NA-28 have also been challenged۔
Meanwhile, the results of PP-11, PP-14, PP-16, PP-20, PP-31، PP-33 and PP-59 are also challenged by the losing candidates.
Hectic legal activity is expected over next few days as several results of general elections 2024, showing PML-N candidates’ winners, are challenged in high courts, with opponents alleging that their defeat was a result of “rigging”.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) affiliated independent candidates have moved the Lahore High Court (LHC), challenging the results of the PP-164 and NA-118 – where the father-son duo, Shehbaz Sharif and Hamza Shehbaz secured victory.
In his petition, independent candidate Yousuf Mio, who contested against PML-N president, claimed that the returning officer (RO) did not allow the petitioner to enter the office.
ISLAMABAD: A proposal to suspend cellular and internet services in sensitive areas on February 8, the day when Pakistanis will vote to elect the new assembly, has come to light, ARY News reported, citing sources.
The proposal was put forward during the ECP’s meeting held to review the law and order situation in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The sources privy to the development said, the proposal to subspend internet and mobile services in sensitive areas of the country during the general elections 2024 was forward.
The meeting also discussed the security of the election candidates, while CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja expressed concerns over increasing attacks on political gatherings in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
In a press statement after the meeting, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja said that those who are trying obstruct the polls by disturbing the peace would be dealt with strictly.
“There should be no confusion or misunderstanding as the General Elections 2024 will be held on time,” the CEC made it clear. He said that terrorism is the biggest enemy of the electoral process.
Sikandar Sultan Raja said that despite the security challenges, the ECP is fully prepared to hold the elections on February 8. The CEC also expressed full confidence in the law enforcement agencies
ISLAMABAD: Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has convened a meeting today to discuss law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, ARY News reported.
Caretaker Interior Minister, Interior Secretary, Chief Secretaries and Inspectors General of both provinces as well as representatives of intelligence agencies have been invited to attend the meeting.
It is pertinent to mention here that at least six people were killed and 13 others sustained injuries in three violent incidents in Balochistan’s Sibi, Quetta and Chaman and Khyber Pakhunthwa’s Bajaur district within span of a day.
The wave of violence began in Sibi when four people were killed and five others sustained injuries in a blast that occurred at Jinnah Road Sibi near political party’s rally on Tuesday. The police said that the explosive material was installed in a motorcycle that led to explosion. The law enforcers have cordoned off the area and called bomb disposal squad.
Separately, scores of armed attacks in Chaman, Quetta and other areas in Balochistan left a political activist dead and four others injured on Wednesday. Unidentified assailants opened fire at the Awami National Party (ANP) office in Chaman leaving a party activist Zahoor Ahmed dead, while another worker was injured.
In another incident unknown persons hurled hand grenade at People’s Party’s election office at Saryab Road in Quetta leaving three persons injured.
In a recent attack in Bajaur district, Rehan Zeb Khan, a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) backed independent candidate, was gunned down in the Siddiqabad area of Bajaur. The PTI-backed candidate was contesting elections from NA-8 and PK-22 seats.
The police, in a statement, said Rehan Zeb Khan was campaigning in the area when unidentified assailants opened fire on his vehicle, leaving him dead on the spot. Four other people were also injured in the attack.
Meanwhile, the PTI strongly condemned the killing of Rehan – who was a party-backed candidate for a National Assembly seat.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Senator Taj Haider on Monday claimed police are arresting party workers in NA-127, Lahore, who are supporting Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in the constituency.
NA-127, with 25 contenders, showcases prominent figures such as PPP’s Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, PML-N’s AttaullahTarar, PTI’s Shabbir Ahmed Gujjar and JI’s Syed EhsanullahWaqas.
In a letter written to the ECP, Taj Haider highlighted the issue of the alleged arrest of PPP workers and supporters ahead of the general elections in NA-127.
Haider in his letter said police ‘arrested’ PTI workers who recently joined PPP and efforts were allegedly underway to harm PPP’s campaign.
The PPP leader further claimed that PML-N councilor Khalid Parveen, who announced support for Bilawal, was arrested by Liaquatabad police in a four-month-old FIR.
The PPP senator has urged the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to take notice of the matter and ensure an end to ‘fascist’ moves.
Earlier, the sources said the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has declared around 50% polling stations in the country as ‘sensitive’ or ‘most sensitive’.
According to ECP sources, overall 90,675 polling stations have been set up across the country for the upcoming general elections, slated for Feb 8, 2024.
ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Tuesday seized the development funds of local and cantonment boards across the country, until announcement of the results of the general elections 2024.
According to the notification issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan, the development funds of the local and cantonment boards have been frozen to ensure free, fair, and transparent polls on February 8.
The notification stated that the local governments will only carry out the day-to-day affairs of sanitation and cleanliness, but no development scheme will be announced or worked on.
It has been further stated in the notification that local governments and cantonment boards will not award tenders till the results of the general elections 2024.
The general elections in Pakistan are scheduled to take place on February 8 for which arrangments are in the final stage.
Earlier in the day, caretaker Information and Broadcasting Minister Murtaza Solangi said that international observers and journalists would visit Pakistan to monitor and cover the general elections 2024.
The information minister said that a total of one hundred and seventy-four applications from various foreign media outlets have been received.
He mentioned that several international media outlets including CNN, BBC, DW and those of Japan have already presence in Pakistan and they will be covering the elections on National and Provincial Assemblies’ seats.
ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has decided to use Election Management System (EMS) for the timely finalisation of results, ARY News reported, citing sources.
Sources within the ECP said the arrangements have been completed for the timely dispatch of results on the February 8 elections.
Each Returning Officer has been provided three data entry operators for the finalisation of results on the EMS, the system which can work even without the internet, the sources said.
The system has been successfully tested by the ECP in all four provinces, the sources said and added it will help the timely and error-free finalisation of results on February 8.
It is pertinent to mention here that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has completed all arrangements to conduct free, fair and transparent general elections in the country.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) yesterday released code of conduct for security officials who will be deployed during the upcoming general elections scheduled for February 8, 2024.
The code of conduct binds the security officials, excluding Armed Forces and Civil Armed Forces, to perform their duty in accordance with the law and cooperate with the presiding officers, returning officers (ROs) and polling staff.
ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has summoned an important meeting tomorrow (Thursday) to finalise matters about security arrangements for general elections 2024, ARY News reported.
The high-level meeting will be chaired by CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja and will be attended by all four provincial secretaries.
All IGs, and officials from defence and interior ministries will be among the attendees.
Yesterday, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) appointed new secretary ahead of general elections 2024.
According to official notification, Dr Syed Asif Hussain has been appointed as secretary Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja has appointed Asif Hussain, a 22nd-grade officer as the secretary ECP for the duration of one year.
The development came after the commission approved the resignation of Omar Hamid as Election Commission of Pakistan secretary.
The spokesperson mentioned that election symbols have been allocated to the contesting candidates, and the ECP is set to start the printing of ballot papers.
ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has given a ‘nod’ for printing 250 million ballots with watermarks for the general election 2024, citing well-placed sources, ARY News reported on Monday.
The approval to print 250 million ballot papers was given during a meeting of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). The printing of the ballot papers will be ensured by three printing corporations, the sources said.
The security measures are being heightened.
The decision is aimed at ensuring the integrity and security of the electoral process, with a meticulous plan for secured transportation from printing machines to the designated officials.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has urged all the political parties to submit the list of their candidates for general seats, showing that they have fulfilled the requirement of five percent representation of women candidates in this category.
The commission in a press release today, said the political parties, having been allocated election symbols for General Election-2024, are mandatorily required to ensure five percent representation of women candidates on general seats, under the provisions of Section 206 of the Elections Act, 2017.
Hence, all the political parties concerned are requested to submit the list of their male and female candidates on general seats, to whom party tickets have been issued, to the Election Commission within five days of this press release.
ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Saturday barred the returning officers (ROs) from allotting ‘alternative symbol’ to such candidates, seeking election symbol of other political parties, ARY News reported.
The directives came after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) – sensing danger of losing its iconic symbol ‘bat’ – chalked out a Plan B by ordering its candidates to submit nominations under the PTI-Nazriati group, whose election symbol is ‘batsman.’
In a post on X, PTI’s official account said: “Whoever has PTI-Nazriati tickets should immediately submit them and take any kind of hindrance to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and high courts.”
جن افراد کے پاس ”تحریک انصاف نظریاتی “کے ٹکٹ ہیں وہ فوری طور پر جمع کروا دیں
The party issued the directives while the Supreme Court heard ECP’s petition challenging the Peshawar High Court’s (PHC) decision to restore the PTI’s electoral symbol, the “bat”.
Meanwhile, the electoral watchdog issued a stern order prohibiting candidates from seeking election symbols affiliated with parties other than their own.
In the order, the election commission clarified the legal stance on reports of PTI’s symbol being utilized as a ‘batsman’ emphasising the need for adherence to electoral regulations.
“Numerous applications from candidates, attempting to manipulate the system, have flooded the Election Commission, prompting concerns of deception and violations of electoral laws,” it said.
The order stated that any attempt to deceive the election commission by seeking an election symbol from a party other than one’s own constitutes a breach of the law.
The ECP’s order explicitly states that candidates, who are already members of a political party, are prohibited from requesting the symbol of another party, directing returning officers (ROs) not to grant any alternative election symbol to such candidates.
Referring to the Election Act, it highlighted that a candidate must present a party affiliation certificate, emphasising that an individual cannot simultaneously belong to more than one political party.
The Commission reiterated the importance of following legal procedures, citing the Supreme Court decision in the Habib Akram case.
“Violation of Section 66 of the Election Act, 2017, was emphasized by the spokesperson, underscoring that candidates submitting incomplete nomination papers, particularly those neglecting to submit the required affidavit, will face rejection,” it added.
The Election Commission emphasised that candidates must bear the consequences for any false statements made in the affidavit attached to their nomination papers.
The commission pointed out that misrepresentation in the affidavit is clearly defined in the constitution and the law. Referring to the Supreme Court’s order, it was highlighted that the submission of the candidate’s affidavit is mandatory.
Any misrepresentation in the nomination papers will be treated as a misrepresentation before the Supreme Court, subjecting the candidate to the same consequences as making false statements before the highest judicial authority.
ISLAMABAD: Another resolution has been moved in the Senate of Pakistan, seeking a delay in the general election 2024 for three months, citing security challenges, ARY News reported.
The resolution has been moved by Senator Hidayatullah, a member of Pakistan’s upper house from the Independent Parliamentary Group.
Expressing concern about the rising attacks on the candidates willing to contest the general election, the resolution moved in the Senate has demanded delaying the election for three months.
The Senate resolution has urged the Election Commission of Pakistan and the Supreme Court to ensure a peaceful election.
It is to be noted that earlier this month, the Upper House of Parliament adopted a resolution, which was moved by independent Senator Dilawar Khan during a session with only 15 lawmakers in attendance. It sought polls delay in the light of extreme weather in hilly areas and the deteriorating security situation.
“The Constitution upheld the right to vote for every citizen of Pakistan and the Election Commission of Pakistan was bound to conduct free and fair polls in contingent upon inclusivity and ensuring the participation of all regional people.”
“The vote turnout in colder areas remains notably high during the moderate weather conditions. January and February are recognised as the coldest months in the majority of the areas in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” it stated.
The resolution said various political parties had expressed their reservations regarding difficulties in ensuring participation in cold areas during the electoral process.
