The election tribunals have been bombarded with appeals against acceptance of certain high-profile candidates' nomination papers.

The PTI and PML-N are apparently leading the race in filing appeals and counter-appeals with Lahore becoming the hotbed of such petitions, raising the question whether some candidates are afraid of a contest.

PTI's Yasmeen Rashid, who lost Lahore's former NA-120 by-poll to Kulsoom Nawaz last year, has filed three appeals — against the acceptance of Maryam Nawaz, Ayaz Sadiq and Pervaiz Malik's nomination papers.

But Rashid is not alone in attempting to get her rivals disqualified as her own party leader Imran Khan's papers have been challenged in NA-131.

Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, who jumped ship from the PML-Q to PPP and is now in the PTI, has also had her papers challenged.

Given that bigwigs like Nawaz Sharif and Jahangir Tareen were disqualified by the Supreme Court in one year — on petitions by rival parties — could it be that candidates think their appeals stand a better chance now? We'll have to see how many pan out.