[🇵🇰] Pakistan General Elections -- 2024

[Old School]

Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari elected unopposed as MNA from Shaheed Benazirabad​

Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari was elected unopposed as a member of the National Assembly from NA-207 Shaheed Benazirabad (formerly Nawabshah) on Friday.

She had filed her nomination papers to contest the by-election on March 17 and her candidature was subsequently approved by the returning officer (RO) after the scrutinisation process on Thursday.
This seat was vacated by her father, Asif Ali Zardari, after he was elected as the president. Word on the grapevine was that President Zardari was going to make Aseefa the new first lady. The PPP has already started referring to her with that title.

According to a notification — a copy of which is available with Dawn.com — issued by the RO, three candidates withdrew their names from the contest for the by-poll.

 

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[H3]ECP's role ends after election win notification: SC[/H3]
Judge says stopping polling after printing of ballot papers will be inappropriate

Jahanzeb Abbasi
April 17, 2024

The Supreme Court of Pakistan. PHOTO: APP/FILE

ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court Justice Ayesha Malik remarked on Wednesday that the role of the Election Commission of Pakistan concluded after issuing the notification of the success of the winning candidate and all the subsequent matters would go to the election tribunal.

During the hearing of a petition against re-polling at four polling stations in the Balochistan Assembly constituency of PB-9, Justice Malik sought the reasons, as to why the order for the re-polling should be suspended.

The apex court bench, led by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and also including Justice Irfan Saadat Khan, issued notices to the relevant parties, including the ECP, the attorney general for Pakistan (AGP) and others on the appeal against election victory of Nawab Chenghaiz Khan Marri.
Ali Zafar, the lawyer for the petitioner, told the court that Marri, who belonged to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) was won the PB-9 election on February 8. However, the voting could not take place at four polling stations because of the law and order situation.

Later, on the request of Mir Naseebullah Khan of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), the ECP ordered a re-polling at seven polling stations, which was held on February 16, and Marri still won the election and took oath as the Balochistan Assembly member on February 28.


Justice Malik asked the lawyer why the re-polling order should be suspended. Justice Khan inquired from the ECP lawyer whether the ballot papers have been printed or not? He remarked that it would be inappropriate to stop the voting when the ballot papers were printed.

The ECP lawyer replied that he would inform the court about the ballot papers after getting the information from the ECP. However, he added that polling was scheduled for April 24. The court adjourned the hearing till April 22.

 

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[H2]88 polling stations in Bajaur declared 'most sensitive'[/H2]
Dawn
April 19, 2024

DERA ISMAIL KHAN/BAJAUR: Police devised a robust security plan to ensure peaceful by-election on National Assembly seat, NA-44, to be held in Dera Ismail Khan on April 21.

In this regard, a workshop was organised for police officers regarding security duty during by-election. The participants of the workshop were directed to follow code of conduct devised by Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

They were told that no unauthorised person would be allowed to enter the polling station. Presiding officer will have the authority of a magistrate. No armed person will be allowed inside a polling station or its gate.

Policemen were told to closely monitor suspicious individuals and treat voters with honour. They were directed to cooperate with polling staff.

Arrangements finalised for April 21 by-polls

In Bajaur, arrangements have been finalised for holding by-election in free, fair and peaceful manner.

"We have completed all the arrangements to by-election on two constituencies NA-8 and PK-22 in free, fair, transparent and peaceful way," said Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Anwarul Haq.

He told Dawn that polling material would be dispatched to polling stations on Saturday. He said that 366 polling stations were established in both the constituencies.

He said that 88 polling stations, mostly located in mountain areas, were declared the most sensitive. He added that special security arrangements were being made for the most sensitive stations.
Mr Haq said that CCTV cameras were installed at most of polling stations

 

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