SC rejects PTI's plea seeking overturning of ECP's decision to hold fresh by-polls in Daska

According to details, a three-judge SC bench, headed by Justice Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Justice Yahya Afridi and Justice Sajjad Ali Shah heard an appeal filed by PTI’s Ali Asjad Malhi, who is seeking overturning of the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision to hold a fresh by-poll in tehsil Daska of Sialkot.

During the proceedings, PTI’s lawyer Advocate Mohammad Shahzad Shaukat argued the electoral body had exceeded from its authority by ordering fresh polls in Daska. He added that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had reservations over 23 polling stations only.

In response to that, Justice Bandial remarked that the case can possibly be concluded before the polling day. He further directed relevant authorities to record arguments over the jurisdiction of top electoral body over the issue.

The court, while adjourning case till March 16, stated that it would examine PTI candidate's application at the next hearing.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Elections Commission on February 25 had ordered re-polling in the entire NA-75 constituency on March 18 after suspicions that the results of the by-elections held earlier may have been falsified.

In the verdict, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja declared that the by-elections in the constituency were not transparent and law and order situation was disrupted.

Prior to that, the returning officer in NA-75 constituency had halted the by-poll results following violence and alleged vote fraud.