The Supreme Court has suspended the Election Commission’s re-polling order for four polling stations in PB-9 Kohlu. The decision also restored the assembly membership of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz candidate Mir Changez Khan Marri.
A three-member bench headed by Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan heard Marri’s petition on Wednesday. The Election Commission had ordered fresh polling at the four stations for August 27.
Marri challenged the decision before the Supreme Court, seeking relief against the re-polling order. Following the hearing, the court issued notices to the parties involved. It also adjourned further proceedings until the last week of August.
Sherry Rehman Challenges AJK Re-Polling Decision
Meanwhile, another re-polling dispute has emerged in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Pakistan People’s Party Vice-President Senator Sherry Rehman has called for the withdrawal of fresh polling orders at nine stations in LA-15.
Rehman said presiding officers were present at all nine polling stations. However, no voter cast a ballot because local residents boycotted the election.
She rejected the suggestion that voters could not reach the polling stations because of disruptions. According to Rehman, there were no landslides, fallen trees or blocked roads in the affected areas.
PPP Seeks Preservation of LA-15 Result
Rehman urged authorities to maintain the existing result in favour of the PPP candidate who won LA-15. She argued that re-polling should not become a means of changing the election outcome.
The two developments have placed separate re-polling decisions under scrutiny. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court will resume proceedings on the Kohlu matter later this month.
The Election Commission’s decision regarding the four PB-9 polling stations will remain suspended until further proceedings.
