Winning candidate against Shah Mahmood from PP-217 disqualified

MULTAN: During July 25 polls, independent candidate Muhammad Salman, who won against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s Shah Mahmood Qureshi on PP-217 seat from Multan, was declared disqualified on Monday.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced the decision in favor of a petition challenging the eligibility of Muhammad Salman that he does not meet the required age to be a lawmaker.

The ECP stated, “According to National Database Registration Authority (NADRA) records, Muhammad Salman was under 25 years and thus not eligible to contest the election.”

Proclaiming Muhammad Salman disqualified, the electoral body also withdrew the notification of candidate’s victory.

Muhammad Salman had contested the 2018 General Election from PP-217 as an independent candidate and secured 35,294 votes defeating Qureshi who received 31,716 votes.

Following PTI’s electoral win in July 25 polls, Mr. Shah Mehmood Qureshi was given the portfolio of Foreign Minister and is currently in the United States on account of 73rd United Nations General Assembly session.

On the other hand, ECP is all set to conduct by-polls in the country.

According to the schedule given by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), by-elections will be conducted countrywide on October 14  for the assembly seats left vacant due to death of contesting/returned candidates, resignations and postponement of the elections.

By-elections will be held on 11 constituencies of the National Assembly and 25 constituencies of the four provincial assemblies.