ECP accepts Yousaf Gilani’s nomination papers for Senate elections 

Rejecting the objections raised by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) to the candidature of Pakistan Democratic Movement’s (PDM) Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani for the Senate elections from Islamabad, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Thursday accepted Gilani’s nomination papers.

Returning Officer (RO) Zafar Iqbal Malik, in his written order, said that PDM candidate’s five-year ineligibility term to hold any public office was over. “And even if some cases are pending against him in courts, this does not imply that he could be barred from contesting elections. Therefore, he is fit to run for Senate elections,” the RO’s order reads.

Talking to the media outside the ECP’s office, Javed Iqbal, counsel for PDM candidate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, said that he was thankful to Allah (The Almighty) that his client’s papers had been accepted and that objections raised by PTI had been rejected.

The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), on February 16, had challenged the nomination papers of Pakistan Democratic Movement’s (PDM) joint candidate for Senate elections Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani for allegedly concealing his conviction by the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

Fareed Rehman, a leader of the ruling party, in his petition to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), had claimed that since the former prime minister failed to meet the requirement under Article 62 of the constitution, his nomination papers be rejected.

Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani was nominated by the PDM, an alliance of opposition parties, as a joint candidate for Islamabad seat.

His name was proposed by PPP leader Raja Pervez Ashraf and was endorsed by PML-N’s Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.

Gilani, who served as the prime minister from 2008 till 2012, was ousted after his conviction by the SC over contempt of court. 

He was awarded a symbolic punishment of not more than a minute.