Musharraf in, Ashraf out from election race

The election authorities on Sunday rejected nomination papers of former Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf over his misuse of powers and favourtism on the last day of the scrutiny of papers of thousands of candidates.

In another development the election authorities accepted nomination papers of former President Pervez Musharraf to stand for the May 11 elections, officials said.

Musharraf’s papers were earlier rejected in three areas – capital Islamabad, southern port city of Karachi and Kasur district in Punjab.

However his papers for the National Assembly seat were accepted by authorities in the northwestern Chitral district on the plea that no court has yet convicted him on multiple charges against him.

Pakistan will hold parliamentary elections on May 11’s and thousands of candidates from dozens of political parties and for independent have filed nomination papers.

The election authorities on Sunday completed nomination papers, rejecting papers of several senior political leaders and former members of the parliament after different objections were raised about their person. Some former MPs were barred over holding fake degrees.

Special tribunals will receive appeals against rejection of nomination papers from Monday until Wednesday. The tribunals will decide appeals in a week time.

The election authorities rejected Ashraf’s nomination papers in Rawalpindi district near Islamabad after hid rival raised objections that he had misappropriated funds and indulged in nepotism.

Ashraf, who had assumed the office of Prime Minister in June 2012, after then Prime Minister, Yusuf Raza Gilani was disqualified by the Supreme Court in contempt charges.

He has right of appeal against the decision, legal experts said.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan ordered the arrest of Ashraf in January this year over charges of receiving kickbacks from rental power plants that were part of a project intended to serve as part of the solution to Pakistan’s power problems.

Nomination papers of former president general (retd) Pervez Musharraf were accepted in Chitral district, raising hopes for his candidature for the National Assembly seat.

Election officials, while rejecting objections by his rivals, ruled that no court has convicted Musharraf so far and he could stand for the parliamentary seat.

Musharraf’s papers were rejected in other areas after objections were raised by his rivals that he had violated the constitution and sacked top judges by imposing emergency rule in 2007.

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Posted by Tahir Khan on Apr 7 2013. Filed under Latest News, 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.