Identical rulings by ROs surprises election tribunal judge

ISLAMABAD: At the Election Tribunal of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) hearing on Wednesday, Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir expressed astonishment at what appeared to be arbitrary decisions made by separate returning officers.

The tribunal was addressing an appeal lodged by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insad (PTI) leader Advocate Shoaib Shaheen, contesting the rejection of his nomination form.

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During the proceedings, Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir noted with surprise that the returning officers for both NA-47 and NA-48 constituencies were identical. Shaheen contested this, asserting that the officers for the two constituencies were different. However, Justice Tahir pointed out that there was not a single word of difference in the orders issued by the two returning officers, suggesting a striking similarity that raised suspicions about the decision-making process.

Shaheen defended his stance, claiming that while the officers might be different, the orders seemed to be crafted in the same place, evident from their exact replication.

Expressing concern, Justice Arbab emphasised the lack of variation between the two orders, raising questions about the independence and fairness of the decision-making process. After the arguments from both parties, the Islamabad Election Tribunal reserved its decision on the matter.

PTI leader Niazullah Niazi, addressing the media outside the IHC, shed light on the unusual circumstances surrounding the objection-raising process on December 30. He revealed that the returning officers spent four hours that night scrutinising nomination papers and raised objections that he described as “ridiculous.”

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He further stated that even the judge found some objections amusing. Notably, an identical decision was issued by three different circles of returning officers, adding another layer of suspicion to the overall electoral proceedings.

The Election Tribunal’s decision is now eagerly awaited as questions about the integrity of the election process in NA 47 and NA 48 linger. – INP