ECP clubs pleas seeking Vawda’s disqualification

Election Commission of Pakistan has decided to club all four applications seeking disqualification of Federal Minister and Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf leader Faisal Vawda for submitting a fake affidavit hiding his dual nationality at the time of filing his nomination papers for 2018 general elections.

A five-member ECP bench under the chairmanship of Chief Election Commissioner held the proceedings and issued a notice to Faisal Vawda to submit his reply on Feb 27. At the meantime, the Commission directed the applicants to submit attested copies of evidence in support of their applications.

The applicants have taken the plea that at the time of filing the nomination papers Faisal Vawda did not disclose his American citizenship concealing his dual nationality, he should be disqualified under the provisions of Election Rules. They argued that allowing him to contest elections, the Returning Officer committed a crime and added that he should also be made responsible for this illegal action.

The applicants, while talking to media representatives outside the Election Commission, alleged that the Returning Officer extended undue favour to Faisal Vawda despite the fact that under Articles 62 and 63, he was not entitled to context the elections.

It may be mentioned that Faisal Vawda has been making tall claims of transparency and fair play in his speeches and television talk shows. He has also been alleging blatant election rules violations committed by the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) leadership.