The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) categorically stated Wednesday that the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) candidates cannot contest the upcoming by-election under the party’s banner.
The decision from the commission came a few hours after the government banned the religious party following the party’s protests all over the country, that caused three people to die and over 100 police officers were left injured.
It is pertinent to mention here this instruction will be applicable on the NA-249 by-election — scheduled for April 29.
During the general elections 2018, of the 340,000 registered voters, the winner, Vawda, only secured 35,344 votes, the runner-up got 34,625 votes, while TLP bagged 23,981 ballots. MQM-P got only 13,534, and PPP’s Syed Attaullah Subhan got 10,307 votes.
The TLP had nominated Mufti Nazeer Kamalvi as its candidate for the NA-249 by-poll, and after the ban, sources said the candidate will not be able to contest the elections on the “crane” symbol.
“It has been decided to stop the printing of ballot papers till the situation becomes clear; however, the candidate can contest elections independently,” sources added.
