The Lahore High Court has accepted the petition of ruling PTI candidate and rejected that of a retired major for recount of votes in the elections of cantonment boards held on September 12.
Both candidates contested election for Walton cantonment board seats from different wards.
Major Javed Zameer (retired) pleaded that he lost by mere 12 votes from the ward 5 and the number of rejected votes exceeded the victory margin. He requested the court to withhold results and order a recount.
Justice Shams Mahmood Mirza rejected the petition, saying that the results had been announced and that the petitioner must seek remedy from the relevant forum.
On the other hand, PTI’s Aslam Jatt contested election for the ward 4 in Walton cantonment board. He also requested the court for a recount and his request was granted.
Jatt lost the election by 21 votes while the number of rejected votes stood at 68.
REASON FOR DECISIONS: When the results were declared on Sunday evening Major (retired) Javed signed the Form-45 before the Returning Officer (RO).
Once a candidate or his polling agent signs the Form-45, they effectively declare their acceptance of the results.
Justice Jawad Hassan rejected the petition because Major Javed had signed the Form-45.
On the other hand, PTI’s candidate had not signed the Form-45. Hence, his petition was granted.
