LATEST: PML-N loses third wicket - this time from South Punjab

09:42 AM | 26 Aug, 2015

MULTAN (Staff Report) - The election tribunal Multan on Wednesday announced its verdict in favour of Jahangir Tareen over a petition filed by the former secretary general of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) against alleged rigging in NA-154 in 2013 election.

The tribunal de-seated Pakistan Muslim League—Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Muhammad Siddique Khan Baloch and ordered re-election in the constituency.

The election tribunal on Aug 20 had reserved its verdict after the lawyers of both the parties completed their arguments.

According to the short order, massive irregularities were reported in the polls with no mention of rigging, Express News reported.

Earlier, the workers of both the parties, gathered outside the election tribunal have clashed, tearing at each other’s clothes and chanting slogans.

JKT's long, arduous & determined struggle for justice in NA 154 vindicated by verdict of Election Tribunal in his favour. Congratulations.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) August 26, 2015

Earlier in the day, PML-N MNA and PTI senior leaders visited the election tribunal. Talking to media Tareen said, "I am hopeful about my victory." Baloch contested as an Independent candidate and won the elections with 86,177 votes, while PTI candidate bagged 75,955 votes. Later, the winning candidate joined PML-N. Tareen rejected the election result and filed an application with the Election Commission of Pakistan for recounting of votes. The Lodhran district returning officer conducted the recounting after which Baloch got 1,000 more votes. Tareen, dissatisfied with the recounting, rejected the result and filed a petition in the election tribunal, alleging the election was rigged. The election tribunal reserved the judgement on the last hearing, held on August 22 and fixed August 26 (today) for announcing the verdict.