The joint candidate of PTI-led alliance Chaudhry Pervez Elahi was on Thursday elected Speaker of the Punjab Assembly after securing 201 votes - both from treasury and opposition benches. Elahi's rival, PML-N's Chaudhry Iqbal obtained 147 votes. One vote was rejected during the process. Sources claimed that around 12 PML-N MPAs appear to have ditched their party's candidate as they voted for Pervez Elahi. "I thank Imran Khan and the entire house for supporting me," Elahi said after his victory. "I will take the entire house along and conduct the business in a positive manner," he said.
Responding to the protest of PML-N's lawmakers, Elahi said it was time to deliver in the province. The session started half an hour late under the chair of outgoing Speaker Rana Muhammad Iqbal.
The Speaker showed the balloting place to the members and switched off the CCTV cameras installed there. He also barred the MPAs from taking mobile phones inside booths. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) expressed grave concerns over the polling process. Kh Saad Rafique said no foolproof arrangements have been made for the process.
The members of the assembly created a rumpus while chanting slogans against each other. As the Speaker failed to maintain order in the House, he read out the election order to deal with such a situation. During the voting process, PTI's Sadiqa Sahibdad disclosed her vote, inviting protest from the PML-N members in front of the Speaker's dais. Her vote was ultimately cancelled by the speaker.
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