The Election Commission of Pakistan’s decision to keep a none-of-the-above section on the ballot paper was challenged before the Lahore High Court on Thursday.
Rana Saeed, the petitioner, said the decision to have the blank section was contrary to democratic principles and the Constitution. The decision aimed to denigrate candidates taking part in the elections.
The petitioner said by-polls would have to be organised in many constituencies due to the availability of this section on the ballot paper and it would cause a huge loss to the nation exchequer. He said holding elections time and again was not the right decision in view of the precarious situation of the country.
He asked the court to remove the proposed section.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 5th, 2013.