Rigging charges: SHC stays PPPP MPA's disqualification

The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Thursday suspended the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP)'s order that disqualified Pakistan People's Party Parliamentarians' MPA Bashir Ahmed Halepoto. The SHC bench, headed by Justice Munib Akhtar, also restrained the ECP from issuing the notification regarding his disqualification.
The PPPP lawmaker, who was elected MPA from PS-55 in Badin, petitioned the high court assailing his disqualification's short order passed by the ECP on the compliant of Muhammad Hassan Mirza, the son of PPP's disgruntled leader Zulifqar Mirza. Halepoto, through his lawyer Haq Nawaz Talpur, contended that ECP issued a short order, disqualifying him from the membership of the provincial assembly seat in Badin-cum-Tando Muhammad Khan illegally and without due process of law.
The petitioner submitted that Hassan Mirza approached the ECP accusing him of visiting polling stations and canvassing for votes during the local government elections held in August, last year. Mirza later challenged the elections of Ali Asghar and Allah Dino to the seats of chairman and vice chairman of the district council of Badin, respectively, before the election tribunal and the matter was pending decision.
Advocate Talpur argued that his client didn't violate the election laws, neither did he violate its code of conduct for the elections. Halepoto was appointed as a polling agent as per rules and regulations and his presence on the premises of the polling stations was strictly in accordance with the laws. The counsel contended that ECP had proceeded against his client illegally and irrationally and pleaded the judges to declare as illegal its order and grant stay order till disposal of the petition.