Election tribunal comprising Justice Ijaz Ahmad of Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday constituted a commission to record evidences in an election petition filed by PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain against the Federal Defence Minister, Ahmed Mukhtar.
The tribunal directed the commission, which will be headed by former LHC judge Javed Sarfraz, to submit its report within 30 days after recording evidences. Shujaat, who lost NA-105 elections to Ahmed Mukhtar, has pleaded the tribunal to declare Mukhtar election as null and void and also declare him disqualified for contesting election on the basis of "certain irregularities" committed during the polling and being a defaulter.
He alleged that on the day of the polling, massive irregularities were committed by Mukhtar and the election authorities. He maintained that at many polling stations PPP workers forcefully barred a number of voters of the petitioner from casting their votes. He further alleged that the returning officer also considered a number of rejected votes in favour of Ahmad Mukhtar. He further pleaded that Ahmad Mukhtar was a defaulter of Rs 63,5162 against property tax. Shujaat, therefore, prayed the court to declared Mukhtar disqualified for contesting the elections and declare him as returned candidate.