During the hearing related to the election symbol case, Peshawar High Court remarked that if the law is not followed, if the judiciary closes its eyes, then it becomes the law of the jungle.
A hearing was held on the petition of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf provincial president Ali Amin Gandapur filed against the election symbol. Lawyer Ali Amin Gandapur argued that Ali Amin Gandapur is participating in the election from three NA-44 constituencies and two provincial constituencies. We requested to be given a symbol. Radio on NA 44 was replaced, bottle and stethoscope on provincial circle.
Justice Shakeel Ahmed remarked that if the RO had the authority to change the marks, once the mark was given to the candidate, under what law did the RO change it, in a country where there is no rule of law and the Judiciary? Even if you close your eyes, then it is the law of the jungle, if you say that the printing of ballot papers has started, then why not the cost of it should also be taken from the same RO.
Lawyer Election Commission said that I believe that it was their right which was not given to them.
Justice Shakeel Ahmed remarked that whether the Election Commission took any action against the concerned RO or the Election Commission also turned a blind eye.
Lawyer Election Commission said that I have spoken to the Election Commission today, there has been a shortage of papers for ballot papers, on which Justice Shakeel Ahmed remarked that the shortage of papers has arisen or has it been created? ROPMS officers, how can they do this, what is the significance of the symbol, the court clarified in the Kamran Bangash election symbol case judgment, the election symbol has a psychological effect and votes are cast by looking at it. Ask whether the ballot papers of these constituencies have been printed or not.
The court directed the election commission lawyer to inform us after a while. After the adjournment, the lawyer of the Election Commission told the court that the Election Commission has contacted Islamabad, on which they have said that if the case is sent to us, we will look into it ourselves and if there is a violation, the election will be held against the ROs. The Commission will take action, the Election Commission will alert them according to the law.
The petitioner’s counsel told the court that it has become clear that the process of printing the ballot papers has not yet started. Justice Shakeel Ahmed said that you allotted the mark first and then changed it which is not right. The Election Commission’s lawyer told the court that the Election Commission will investigate the concerned RO.
The Fazil Bench accepted Ali Amin Gandapur’s request to change the symbol and issued an order to allot him the coin (queen) symbol and directed the Election Commission to take legal action against the returning officer.