NA-133 by-election: LHC dismisses plea seeking disqualification of PML-N, PPP candidates

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Thursday dismissed a petition seeking the disqualification of PML-N and PPP candidates in the NA-133 by-election.

The petition was filed by independent candidate Sohail Shehzad over an alleged vote-buying video.

Shehzad pleaded that the video of PML-N and PPP supporters had come to light in which they were buying votes for their candidates Shaista Pervez Malik and Aslam Gul, respectively.

Read more: After surfacing of video, PTI accuses PML-N of buying votes

He pointed out that the Election Commission of Pakistan had only imposed fines instead of disqualifying the candidates.

However, at the outset of the hearing a Punjab law officer objected to the maintainability of the petition and pointed out that the petitioner could file an appeal against the decision at another competent forum.

Justice Muzammil Akhtar Shabbir agreed to the point of view of the officer and declared the petition non-maintainable. He added that the court could not issue an order when there was an alternate forum available for redressal.

Last week, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) took notice of the video showing massive irregularities in the NA-133 by-election.

Read more: PTI candidate announces to not approach SC for disqualification review

A video doing rounds on social media shows that some people wearing masks are sitting at an office and bundles of money are kept before them, from which they are giving money, after taking the an oath from the people.

The ones receiving the money are also wearing masks to hide their identities. Behind them, posters of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz candidate are visible on walls.