The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) on Saturday expressed concerns that the bye-election in NA-205 Ghotki scheduled for July 18 may be postponed, and urged the Supreme Court to ensure that the election is held as per schedule.
In a statement, PPP Secretary General Farhatullah Babar said that after the announcement of election schedule on June 10, the nomination papers were filed by candidates including by PPP’s Sardar Bux Mahar. After scrutiny of nomination papers and dismissal of appeals against PPP candidate by the election tribunal, the final list of candidates was also announced. “Since then, however, pressure has been exerted on local administration and politicians to keep the PPP candidate out of the race,” he said.
“Two mukhtiarkars of Ghotki were abducted in search of some incriminating documents against the PPP candidate. FIRs have already been registered against the abduction of mukhtiarkars,” the PPP leader said. “Furthermore, political opponents are also using resources of local government against the PPP and a complaint in this regard has already been made to the Election Commission of Pakistan on July 4,” he said.
Babar said the PPP candidature was also challenged through a constitutional petition. After arguments on July 11, the judgment was reserved which reportedly will be announced on July 16, he continued. “However, since campaigning will come to an end on July 16, the PPP candidate will be left with no time to file an appeal in case the verdict goes against him. Not only a candidate but a political party will effectively be disenfranchised,” he said, adding that similar petitions are also fixed for judgment against other candidates and a judgment against them will entail their disenfranchisement too. It is also strongly apprehended that this might result in postponing the bye-election in Ghotki, citing the court orders as the reason, he said.
Babar demanded that under no circumstances the bye-election be postponed. “The PPP urges the Supreme Court to ensure that elections be not postponed and that free, fair and transparent elections are held under the constitution and the rights of people are protected,” he concluded.
