Court rejects injunction application on NPC polls
JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 12 January 2016
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The court rejected a plea by journalists to annul the NPC elections, confirming the elections followed approved procedures. The ruling signifies the legitimacy of the electoral process despite prior disturbances.Summary
ISLAMABAD: A court has rejected a plea by a group of journalists wanting the recent National Press Club (NPC) elections be declared null and void and seeking to prevent the executive body from working.
A NPC press release said Civil Judge Suhaib Bilal Ranjha ruled that a review of all records shows the elections were held according to approved procedure. The court said no other voters or members had filed any complaint therefore the application stands dismissed. A request for a review was also rejected.
The application was declined by the court first on January 7. An application for review filed by Abdul Qayyum Siddiqui, Matiullah Jan, Ata Rehman Tahir, Syed Dastar Ali Shah and Abdul Shakoor Khan was rejected on January 11.
The NPC elections held on January 4 were marred by rowdyism, and polling at one of the two stations remained suspended for nearly three hours after Jago Panel supporters stormed it alleging fake votes were cast and objecting to the voters' list. They broke tables and chairs.
Relevant previous posts on JP:
Journalist Panel wins big in NPC polls marred by rowdyism
NPC election committee says it thwarted attempt to sabotage polls
NPC approves committee for reviewing voters list
KEY POINTS:
- Court dismisses journalists' plea to nullify NPC elections.
- Civil Judge ruled elections were held according to approved procedure.
- No complaints submitted by other voters or members.
- Rowdyism marked the elections with polling disruptions.
- Applications for review were both rejected by the court.
