Three Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) members who ran as independent candidates in the Feb 8 general elections have filed petitions with the Sindh High Court challenging the provisional results of the National Assembly seats they contested. These candidates, backed by PTI, include Haleem Adil Sheikh (NA-238), Arsalan Khalid (NA-248), and Advocate Khalid Mehmood (NA-231).
The candidates argue that they were categorized as independent candidates by the returning officers after their party lost its electoral symbol. They claim that the Election Commission of Pakistan, returning officers, and others violated electoral laws and rigged the election process. They allege that the results were changed at the returning officers’ offices, and their polling agents were removed without explanation before the consolidation of results.
The candidates are asking the court to declare the provisional results void and to prepare Form-47 afresh in accordance with election rules. They emphasize that the consolidation of results was carried out without lawful authority and seek a fair and transparent process.
The petitions are set to be heard on Monday, and it is expected that more petitions may be filed in the coming days challenging the provisional election results.