The Supreme Court of Pakistan has delivered a landmark verdict in the NA-251 constituency election dispute by declaring Khushal Khan as the rightful winner. This decision came after a thorough review of the election documents and discrepancies found in the official records. The apex court directed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to promptly issue the victory notification in favor of Khushal Khan, effectively overturning the previously announced results.
The case was heard by a three-member bench led by Justice Shahid Waheed, who presided over the proceedings with keen attention to the details presented. During the hearing, prominent lawyer Salman Akram Raja highlighted critical inconsistencies between Form 45 and Form 48, which are official documents used to record polling station results. He pointed out that in at least 10 polling stations, there was a suspicious reduction of 100 votes from Khushal Khan’s tally on Form 45, while the votes for his opponent, Syed Samiullah, were simultaneously inflated on Form 48.
Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan expressed his concern over the precise manipulation of votes, noting that the difference was exactly 100 votes at each affected polling station. He remarked that such calculated tampering often occurs under the cover of darkness, implying deliberate electoral fraud. However, Salman Akram Raja countered this assumption by stating that such irregularities could also be orchestrated during daytime, emphasizing the complexity and premeditation behind the discrepancies.
During the proceedings, the court examined the Form 45 documents from the disputed polling stations in detail. The counsel for Khushal Khan urged the court to hold the Returning Officer (RO) accountable for issuing incorrect and misleading results. Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan questioned whether any precedent existed for taking punitive action against ROs who submit flawed results, highlighting a gap in electoral accountability.
Representatives from the Election Commission reassured the court that there is a comprehensive framework in place for addressing misconduct by Returning Officers, who bear significant responsibility in ensuring the integrity of election results. They emphasized that the ECP is empowered to take strict measures against officials found guilty of malpractice.
After carefully considering all evidence and arguments, the Supreme Court concluded that the irregularities were substantial enough to affect the outcome of the election in NA-251. Consequently, the court declared Khushal Khan the legitimate winner and instructed the Election Commission to immediately issue his victory notification without delay. This ruling not only sets a precedent for electoral transparency but also reinforces the judiciary’s role in safeguarding democratic processes in Pakistan.
