PML-N Lawyers Prepare for ECP Scrutiny of Nawaz’s Papers

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) will begin scrutinizing Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif’s nomination papers on Tuesday, ahead of which the party’s legal team will deal with any potential objections, according to private news paper.

The former prime minister has filed his nomination papers for the Lahore and Mansehra constituencies, which will be scrutinized today. As a result, the party has tasked its legal team with preparing for any potential objections to the supremo’s submission.

According to reliable sources, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) lawyers were planning to challenge the nomination papers using the Supreme Court’s verdict under Article 62 (1) (F) on April 12, 2018, in which the court ruled that the disqualification handed down under Article 62 (1)(f) of the Constitution was for life.

The verdict on Nawaz’s lifetime disqualification issued unanimously by the bench’s five judges.

Also Read: PTI appeals ECP decision and files petition in PHC

Meanwhile, sources told this reporter that the PML-N had decided to challenge PTI founder Imran Khan’s nomination papers later this week due to the ECP’s declaration that disqualified him from contesting elections for five years under the relevant article of the Constitution.

Nawaz, who returned to Pakistan in October after a four-year self-imposed exile, has led the party’s election campaign. With his sights set on a fourth term as prime minister.

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has quashed the three-time prime minister’s sentences in the Avenfield and Al Azizia cases since his return.

However, following his disqualification by the Supreme Court in the Panama Papers Case. Nawaz needs the lifetime ban on holding public office lifted if he is to run in the upcoming elections.

Over 28,000 nomination papers are received by the ECP.
The ECP received 28,626 nomination papers from prospective candidates across the country hoping to run in the upcoming elections on February 8, 2024.

The ECP is currently reviewing the nomination papers submitted by the candidates. With the stage set to conclude on Saturday, December 30.

Meanwhile, appeals against the acceptance or rejection of nomination papers must be submitted by January 3. With decisions due by January 10.

The top electoral body will release the list of candidates on January 11. With candidates able to withdraw until January 12, i.e., before the ECP assigns an electoral symbol on January 13.