ISLAMABAD (Nationaltimesnews) – Election Commission of Pakistan on Wednesday has rejected the plea of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) seeking disqualification of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader and joint candidate of opposition’s Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) Yousaf Raza Gillani.The PTI, in its amended petition, had again requested the commission to stop notification of Yousaf Raza Gillani’s victory in the recently held Senate polls.Earlier, ECP had turned down PTI’s plea against former prime minister and newly-elected Senator Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani’s win in the Senate polls.During the hearing on the matter of former premier’s son Ali Haider Gillani’s video scandal, PTI lawyer Barrister Ali Zafar, Parliamentary Leader for Railways Farrukh Habib and member of National Assembly (MNA) Kanwal Shauzab appeared before the commission and recorded their arguments.Barrister Ali Zafar claimed that rigging was carried out during the Senate polls by using money and party tickets. Evidence of rigging was found a day before the elections, he told.The member of ECP in Punjab said that PTI lawyer had already provided the transcript of the leaked video. Punjab member asked about making those who were offered money as party in the case over which, Barrister Ali Zafar said that they cannot be made party but the court can call them as witnesses.It is to be mentioned here that Yousaf Raza Gillani had defeated PTI candidate Abdul Hafeez Shaikh in an upset victory in the Senate elections.The contest between Abdul Hafeez Shaikh and Yousaf Raza Gillani was being described as the most critical contest among the opposition and the government.Yousaf Raza Gillani secured 169 votes while Abdul Hafeez Shaikh grabbed 164 votes. A total of 7 votes were rejected by the ECP.
ECP rejects PTI’s plea seeking Yousaf Raza Gillani’s disqualification
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