LAHORE: An election tribunal comprising retired justice Rana Zahid Mahmood on Thursday sought arguments on an election petition challenging the victory of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz from PP-159, Lahore.

PTI-backed independent candidate Mehar Sharafat had filed the petition pleading that initially he emerged victorious in the constituency based on Form 45 results.

He alleged that the results were later manipulated using Form 47 to declare victory of Maryam Nawaz. He asked the tribunal to set aside Maryam’s victory notification and declare him a returned candidate.

The tribunal adjourned the hearing till Jan 23 and directed the lawyers of the petitioner and the respondent to come up with arguments.

Maryam had secured 23,598 and Sharafat obtained 21,491 votes in the Feb 8 general election.

The tribunal also heard an election petition filed by incarcerated PTI leader Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed challenging the victory of PML-N MNA Khalid Pervez Khokhar from NA-169, Lahore.

However, no lawyer appeared on behalf of the election commission or the returning officer.

At this the tribunal adjourned the hearing till Jan 23.

The petition pleaded that according to Form 45, Mr Rasheed had won. However, it alleged tampering with Form 47, which declared Khokhar as the winner.

Published in Dawn, January 10th, 2025