ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court dismissed the appeal challenging the Election Tribunal’s decision to recount the votes in 15 polling stations of Balochistan Assembly Constituency PB-45, Quetta.
A three-member bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Justice Shahid Waheed, Justice Irfan Saadat Khan and Justice Aqeel Abbasi, gave its verdict on the appeal filed by Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) returning candidate Mir Ali Madad Jatak. From PB-45. The court upheld the decision of the Election Tribunal and affirmed the need for recount at certain polling stations. On November 20, 2024, the bench reserved its judgment dismissing Jatak’s appeal.
In a 25-page judgment written by Justice Aqeel Ahmad Abbasi, the court said that under the Election Act, election tribunals have the authority of a civil court. While adjudicating election disputes, the Tribunal may exercise its powers to record statements under the Evidence Act. The judgment revealed that 4 thousand 912 votes were increased in favor of the petitioner through Form 45 while the number of votes of his competitor Mir Muhammad Usman remained at 1623. “According to the records of the Election Tribunal, fraud was committed in Form 45 in 15 polling stations in the constituency,” the judgment said.
The court upheld the decision of the Election Tribunal and dismissed the appeal filed by Mir Ali Madad Jatak.