ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's elections oversight body has rejected the nomination papers of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan, the local media here reported on Tuesday.
Pervez Musharraf barred from running for office
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) also rejected the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leaders Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Sardar Mehtab Abbasi, along with Ayesha Gulalai, who had been affiliated with the PTI in the past, for the NA-53 constituency of Islamabad.
Khan's camp, as well those of other politicians, are is expected to appeal the ECP's ruling.
Violation
The nominations of the politicians were rejected over violation of Section N of the affidavit, which relates to the contribution of a candidate in his or her own constituency.
According to the returning officer (RO), the candidates failed to fill the affidavit as per the requirements.
The candidates have vowed to challenge the decision in the election tribunal on Wednesday.
Objections against Khan's candidacy
The officer, however, dismissed the objections raised against Khan's candidacy for being "incomplete".
Khan’s nomination papers for NA-53 constituency in Islamabad were challenged earlier this month by Pakistan Justice and Democratic Party candidate Abdul Wahab Baloch, who contended that the PTI head did not fulfill the criterion under articles 62 and 63 on the issue of Sita White and her daughter Tyrian.
On Tuesday, Khan's legal counsel Babar Awan appeared before the returning officer and presented his arguments over the objections to PTI head's candidacy.
Awan remarked that they rejected the objections against Khan seven times in the written reply submitted to the ECP a day ago, adding that all the objections were based on falsehood.
He said that the photocopies used to "incriminate" Khan was forged.
Pakistan's election commission also rejected the nomination of former military ruler Gen. Pervez Musharraf, barring him from running for office in elections to be held next month.
The Election Commission of Pakistan on Tuesday rejected Musharraf's candidacy for a National Assembly seat from the northwestern constituency of Chitral.
Musharraf is facing a treason case in Pakistan, lives in self-exile and failed to appear before the country's top court earlier this month.
Subsequently, the court last week withdrew permission to allow Musharraf to run for office.
