Islamabad (Web Desk): The Supreme Court (SC) on Friday upheld the decision of Election Commission of Pakistan regarding re-polling in NA-75 Daska.
A three-member SC bench headed by Justice Umer Ata Bandial, heard the petition of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidate Ali Asjad Malhi, challenging the ECP order of re-election at NA-75 Daska.
The court rejected the PTI's appeal and upheld the earlier order of the ECP for re-polling in NA-75. Voting will be conducted in the constituency on April 10.
During the hearing, Justice Bandial remarked that the situation was not under control in the constituency on the day of polling.
While announcing the reserved judgment, Justice Umar Ata Bandial remarked that the situation was not under control in the constituency on the day of polling.
Earlier, the ECP had submitted an inquiry report regarding NA-75 Daska by-elections in SC as Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) lawyer Salman Akram Raja completed his arguments.
On March 10, 2021, SC had rejected PTI’s plea seeking suspension of ECP decision regarding re-polling in NA-75 Daska.
The commission had submitted a report comprising map of the constituency and other important details in the court. It was mentioned in the report that on the day of by-polls, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) had called chief secretary numerous times but he didn’t respond.
Clashes between PML-N and PTI workers marred the election and led to the deaths.
Both parties had blamed each other for the violence, after which the ECP ordered re-polling in the entire constituency.
Justice Umar Ata Bandial said that detailed decision of ECP and reply were of great importance. The commission had ordered re-polls in NA-75 due to violation of law, he added.
On March 5, Asjad Malhi had challenged the ECP’s decision of re-election in NA-75 Daska after the electoral body declared the February 19 by-election as null and void.
The results for NA-75 Daska were withheld by the RO on PML-N’s request after the alleged disappearance of some members of the polling staff.
The ECP had first decided to hold elections on March 18 however, later, it announced a new date to hold re-polling April 10.
