Daily Times

As the nation brims with anticipation ahead of the impending general elections, scrutinous attention has turned to the nomination papers of three formidable political stalwarts: Maryam Nawaz of the PML-N, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari representing the PPP, and Imran Khan leading the charge for the PTI. These figures, synonymous with their respective parties, find themselves at the center of objections, injecting a compelling layer of complexity into the electoral landscape.

Bilawal: An objection has been raised to Bilawal’s nomination for the National Assembly’s NA-127 seat, with the complainant appealing to the returning officer that one person cannot be a member of two parties at the same time.

In the petition filed by a citizen, Muhammad Ayaz, it has been stated that Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has displayed his affiliation with the Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians in his nomination papers. The Pakistan People’s Party and the Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians are separate political parties.

The symbol of PPP-P is an arrow, while that of the PPP is a sword. Bilawal is the chairman of the PPP and Asif Zardari is the president of PPP-P.

According to the Elections Act 2017, one person can be a member of only one party at a time. His nomination was against the Elections Act and the returning officer should act according to the law, the application stated.

Maryam: Meanwhile, objections have also been filed over the nomination of PML-N chief organiser Maryam Nawaz from the PP-80 constituency of Sargodha district’s Shahpur area. The petitioner says Maryam is a convict and her nomination papers bear fake signatures. The petitioner says that, as a convict, Maryam does not meet the requirements of articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution. He added that the PML-N leader has also not declared her assets.

Imran: The objections were submitted in writing by local lawyers to the Sargodha returning officer. On the other hand, Imran Khan’s nomination from Lahore’s NA-122 constituency has also been challenged.

Former PML-N MPA Mian Naseer has raised objections, saying the former PTI chairman was ineligible to contest the election.

The returning officer postponed proceedings on the nomination papers till tomorrow. He asked Imran Khan’s lawyers to complete their arguments till 12:30pm on Thursday.

The counsel appealed that the petitioner was not a resident of the constituency concerned and did not have a justification to file objections. He contended that the appeal for objections was not maintainable.

The returning officer concerned is yet to rule on all the objections raised, as the process of scrutinising nomination papers is underway till December 30.