Manan Mandokhail:
QUETTA: The Election Tribunal in Balochistan has approved for more than twelve candidates to participate in the upcoming general elections. The tribunal, led by senior judges Justice Muhammad Hashim Khan Kakar and Justice Amir Nawaz Rana of the Balochistan High Court, addressed over 100 appeals. Across Balochistan, as in other regions, returning officers overseeing fair elections rejected numerous nomination papers due to issues such as unpaid utility bills.
Tahir Mehmood, Khaliq Hazara, Majeed Achakzai Allowed To Contest Polls
Seven appeals challenging the rejection of nomination papers were successfully accepted by the tribunal, allowing candidates like Abdul Khaliq Hazara (HDP), Tahir Mehmood Khan (PPP), Ahmed Nawaz Baloch (BNP), Mehmood Khan Sherani, Mufti Gulab (JUI-F), Zakir Hussain Kasi, and Muhammad Hussain to participate in the elections. Notably, Sardar Akhtar Mengal (BNP), Khushal Khan Kakar (PNAP), and Nawab Ayaz Khan Jogezai (PKMAP) had their nomination papers rejected by the returning officer on one constituency.
Mengal Challenged ROs Decision
Sardar Akhtar Mengal has expressed intent to challenge the rejection in court. Sajid Tareen Advocate, the central leader of the Balochistan National Party (BNP) said the rejection of nomination papers on three national assembly and one provincial assembly seat was challenged before the election tribunal. The hearing drew the attention of supporters from various political parties, anxiously awaiting the tribunal’s decisions at the Balochistan High Court premises. To ensure security, strict measures were taken by the Quetta administration in anticipation of the tribunal’s proceedings, aiming to prevent any untoward incidents during the hearing.
