ECP slaps 2-year ban on PPP’s Waheeda Shah

In what appeared to be a brave decision by the Election Commission of Pakistan, it disqualified Waheeda Shah for two years, terming her election null and void for slapping two female polling staffers.

An apology and 25,000 thumb impressions could not save PPP’s Waheeda Shah, who executed her feudal powers in the recent by-elections.

The election commission, in its first brave decision against the sitting government, declared election in PS-53 Tando Muhammad Khan null and void.

Furthermore, Waheeda Shah is now ineligible for holding a public office for the next two years. The incident, recorded on camera, took place at a polling station for a Sindh provincial assembly seat in Tando Mohammad Khan.

The Chief Election Commissioner heard the case on Tuesday, reserving the decision until Wednesday. The provincial election commission completed inquiry report against Waheeda Shah and submitted it to the chief election commissioner for final action.

The commission also directed the Inspector General Police Sindh to take action against DSP Irfan Shah who was present with the candidate when the incident took place.

Three jury members from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Sindh voted in favour of the verdict, while two from Sindh and chief election commissioner, Justice (Retd) Hamid Ali Mirza opposed the decision.

According to the verdict, Waheeda Shah has the right to appeal and the order can be challenged in the Supreme Court.

She tortured Presiding Officer Habiba Memon and other staff during the polling of by-elections on February 25. Memon, however, had pardoned her over immense political pressure.

In its verdict, the ECP said the period of Shah’s ineligibility started from March 7 but she can appeal against the decision. She, who failed to appear before the commission on Tuesday, submitted an unconditional apology to the ECP on her illegal act. But it was not accepted by the authorities concerned.

The chief ECP directed returning officer for PS-53, Ali Asghar Sial, to take immediate cognizance of the matter under Section 86-A of the Representation of People Act, 1976, and hear the parties.

The commission also heard parties Tuesday in a case of alleged rigging during the PS-53 Tando Muhammad Khan by-polls. Justice (retd) Hamid Ali Mirza took up multiple complaints, filed with the commission.

One of the contesting candidates from PS-53, Mushtaq Ali Talpur, registered a complaint with the ECP against Waheeda Shah on her alleged involvement in casting forged/fake votes.

Waheeda Shah was contesting for a seat of the provincial assembly that fell vacant after the death of her husband, Syed Mohsin Shah Bukhari.

She is the candidate, who won majority in the initial counting from the constituency. On February 27, the ECP withheld official results of constituency PS-53 Tando Muhammad Khan.

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Posted by Faisal Farooq on Mar 8 2012. Filed under National, Pakistan, Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.