ECP Revokes Awn Chaudhry’s NA-128 Win

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has retracted a notification confirming the victory of Awn Chaudhry, the leader of Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP), in the general elections for NA-128 Lahore. This development was disclosed by an ECP official during a hearing at the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in response to a petition filed by Barrister Salman Akram Raja, who contested against Awn Chaudhry and challenged the election results.

Arshad Khan, the Director General of Law at ECP, informed the court that a decision on the matter would be made after considering the plea submitted by Salman Akram Raja, who had been the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed candidate in NA-118.

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A day prior to this revelation, Barrister Salman Akram Raja initiated legal action by challenging Awn Chaudhry’s victory in NA-128 Lahore. Raja urged the court to suspend the notification affirming Awn Chaudhry’s success in the 2024 elections.

Adding to the legal developments, the Lahore High Court (LHC) had already prohibited the Election Commission from releasing the election results for National Assembly constituency NA-128 in Lahore. Salman Akram Raja contended that the returning officer (RO) had violated the election act by withholding the release of the election results.

According to provisional results provided by the ECP, Awn Chaudhry, who received backing from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), secured victory in NA-128 Lahore with 172,576 votes. In contrast, the PTI-backed independent candidate, represented by Salman Akram Raja, obtained 159,024 votes.

The withdrawal of the ECP’s notification signifies a significant development in response to the legal challenges raised by Salman Akram Raja. The ongoing legal proceedings and the Lahore High Court’s intervention underscore the importance of ensuring adherence to electoral laws and procedures, particularly regarding the timely release of election results.

As the legal battle unfolds, the fate of the election outcome for NA-128 Lahore remains uncertain. The dispute highlights the intricacies and potential legal implications surrounding election results in Pakistan, where legal challenges play a crucial role in determining the legitimacy of electoral outcomes.

In conclusion, the Election Commission of Pakistan’s withdrawal of the notification regarding Awn Chaudhry’s victory in NA-128 Lahore reflects the impact of legal challenges and judicial interventions in the electoral process. The ongoing legal proceedings underscore the significance of ensuring transparency and adherence to electoral laws, contributing to the scrutiny and potential reassessment of election outcomes.