PTI's Barrister Salman Akram Raja appeals to SC for form 33 correction
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Barrister Salman Akram Raja, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) candidate contesting from NA 128 Lahore has applied to the Supreme Court for correction of Form 33, asserting that his designation should reflect PTI affiliation rather than being listed as an independent (independent) candidate.
According to 24NewsHD TV channel, in his plea, he asserted form 33, which listed the candidates, inaccurately displayed Salma Raja's party affiliation as 'independent' instead of PTI, despite the submission of the party certificate or party ticket with his nomination papers. If the PTI was not awarded with its electoral symbol (bat), it does not mean that PTI as a political party has ceased to exist, he maintained.
Salman Raja asserted that the PTI maintains its distinct existence, and its members should be permitted to openly display their allegiance to the party.
He submitted that the Lahore High Court reserved its decision on his petition on January 25 and pronounced it on January 29.
“The Lahore High Court urged the Election Commission to give a decision within two days.
The court directed the election commission to decide on his application against declaring him an independent candidate from NA-128.
Salman Akram’s lawyer argued that his client belonged to the PTI and intended to contest the elections as a candidate of the party after the returning officer accepted his nomination papers.
He contended that the ECP cannot prevent any party from participating in elections, emphasising that the PTI has been registered as a political party with the ECP since 1996.
He said that the PTI’s electoral symbol had been withdrawn for not conducting intra-party polls, but the party still exists.
He argued that the commission unlawfully declared the petitioner an independent candidate and urged the court to declare that the petitioner was a PTI candidate and not an independent one.
Raja urged the apex court to direct the Election Commission of Pakistan to decide the matter as soon as possible as polls are looming ahead. “I don't want to delay the election, I just want correction of Form 33,” he contended.
Reporter: Amanat Gishkori