Elections Commission of Pakistan has announced the verdict in slapping case to
the polling staff by Wahida Shah during the bye-polls and cancelled the
election on PS 53 and has disqualified Wahida Shah for two years for
contesting the polls.
The ECP has also decided to hold fresh elections in her constituency
PS 57 Tando Muhammad Khan. Arrangements for re-polling would be made
after further orders from the ECP; meanwhile the EC has also ordered
action against the SSP present on the time of incident and had not taken
any action.
Chief Election Commissioner justice (retd) Hamid Ali Mirza and EC
member from Sindh had given dissenting vote, but the majority decision
went against Waheeda Shah who had slapped polling staff.
The Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan heard the case of Waheeda
Shah on Tuesday and had reserved the verdict till Wednesday. On the
other hand, Waheeda had sought unconditional apology, but it was turned
down the matter being a state matter as declared by the Apex Court.
Meanwhile talking to a private TV channel the opponent candidate Mir
Mushataq Talpur hailed the decision against Wahida and appreciated the
cameraman who had grabbed the video of slapping to polling staff.
He said that the ECP should had declared him the successful candidate
as he was at second number, adding that he will consult with his
lawyers for determining the future course of action.
He said that the rigging was also done by the Wahida Shah, adding
that the polling staff was also appointed on the wishes of Wahida Shah.
On Monday, the provincial election commission completed enquiry
report against Waheeda Shah and submitted the report to the Chief
Election Commissioner of Pakistan.
Waheeda Shah had tortured Presiding Officer Habiba Memon and others during the polling of by-elections on February 25.
It is pertinent to mention here that presiding officer Habiba Memon had pardoned Waheeda Shah.
Meanwhile Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General, Liaqat Baloch, has
welcomed the Election Commission’s decision in PPP candidate Waheeda
Shah case and said the EC had upheld the supremacy of the constitution
and the law.
In his reaction, he said that the EC decision was a message for the
forces who believed in winning election through coercion, rigging and
other unlawful means.
He said that if the EC was successful in holding fair and free and
impartial general elections in the country, it would bring a real change
in the country. SANA
