Just due to 7 polling stations, where NADRA was unable to verify the thumb impressions and returning officers and presiding officers were incompetent to fill the form, the election tribunal has declared the results of NA125 Lahore null and void. They have also ordered a re-election. This decision seems more under the pressure of PTI and Imran Khan and also due to the laziness, softness and meek stance of PML-N. They, for some reason, are too slow to react and taking everything for granted. The recent victory in Cantt local bodies election of PML-N in same NA125 has also made them complacent.
This surprising decision by the election tribunal should come as a shocker to the PML-N and wake them up from their slumber. Khawaja Saad Rafique of PML-N had been declared the winner in NA-125 after the 2013 general elections. The result was later challenged by his contender Hamid Khan of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). PML-N leader Khawaja Saad Rafique termed the decision of election tribunal to hold re-polls in NA-125 as contradictory to the will of justice. ECP hasn’t said that PML-N or Khawaja Saad did the rigging. In fact they have exposed the ineligibility of the Returning Officers (ROs). But why punish the PML-N and why reward the PTI? Just because Imran Khan has got louder voice, more media charm and big mouth? Just because PML-N has been on the back foot and their leadership in slumber doesn’t mean that their mandate is insulted. Now this decision will open the floodgate and Pakistan will enter into a new phase of anarchy and mess.