Election Tribunal Summons Preceding Officer Over Alleged Failure to Provide Forms to Polling Agents

Islamabad: Justice Tariq Mahmood Jahangiri, presiding over the Election Tribunal at Islamabad High Court, remarked during the hearing of a petition challenging the election results of NA-48 that this tribunal will not be deterred from taking oaths and statements, emphasizing that any wrongdoing and accountability will be thoroughly investigated.
The tribunal heard the application for electoral redress filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidate Ali Bukhari regarding his electoral plea. Raja Khurram Nawaz, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate for NA-48, submitted all forms and oaths to the tribunal, while the returning officer’s counsel confirmed the submission of Forms 45, 46, 47, and 48, which will be included in the ongoing proceedings.
During the proceedings, Justice Tariq Mahmood Jahangiri queried the Preceding Officer about the Election Management System’s functionality and instructed the court to examine the relevant sections of the Election Act. The tribunal further questioned whether the Preceding Officer had sent SMS alerts, emphasizing the officer’s responsibility to provide all necessary forms to polling agents under penalty of the Election Act.
Justice Tariq Mahmood Jahangiri reiterated that it remains to be seen whether any irregularities occurred, prompting the tribunal to investigate thoroughly. In response, Raja Khurram Nawaz’s counsel noted that the application did not mention any such irregularities.
Justice Tariq Mahmood Jahangiri emphasized the responsibility of Preceding Officers to provide polling agents with all necessary forms. Failure to do so, he warned, would result in legal action under the Election Act, directing the Preceding Officer to prepare 10 packets and obtain signatures from all polling agents. The court instructed reasons to be documented if this directive is not followed.
Ali Bukhari’s counsel expressed dissatisfaction with the process, claiming they were not allowed inside during the signing of the 10 packets. Responding to this, Justice Tariq Mahmood Jahangiri questioned whether they and their agents had signed the 10 packets, to which the counsel denied any such signing, prompting an objection from the Election Commission.
Justice Tariq Mahmood Jahangiri clarified that this is not a lawsuit but a tribunal where oaths and statements are freely taken. He assured that any wrongdoing will be investigated to its depths, allowing certified copies to be requested from the registrar and accessible to any interested citizen or journalist without hindrance. Later, the Election Tribunal adjourned the hearing related to NA-48 until July 15th.