ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary-General Asad Umar on Wednesday accused the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) of salvaging the Punjab government.

Speaking to reporters, Asad Umar has they have submitted a plea with the commission to announce the names of PTI’s reserved seats. He said Hamza Shehbaz will not be able to save his government after by-elections on 20 Punjab Assembly seats as the same results will be expected on the voter list.

He said the ECP should take notice of claims that 15,000 fake votes will be given in every constituency to save Hamza’s government. He alleged the ECP and other officials are trying to protect the Punjab government.

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday instructed the ECP to notify PTI members on five reserved seats of the Punjab Assembly that fell vacant following the de-seating of 25 PTI lawmakers over defection.

The PTI had filed a petition on May 28 requesting the court to direct the electoral watchdog to notify the five new MPAs. The high court had given the ECP a deadline for June 2 to decide the matter.

However, the commission decided that the notification would be delayed until by-elections were held on July 17. The PTI has submitted a plea with the commission to implement the order.

The votes of the 25 PTI dissidents had been instrumental in helping Hamza in the election for the chief minister. He received a total of 197 votes while 186 votes are required for a simple majority.

Minister for Interior Rana Sanaullah said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) would win by-elections on over 16 seats of the Punjab Assembly. He said the minister said Punjab Chief Minister enjoys the confidence of the majority in the Punjab Assembly.

Earlier PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry expressed hope that the Lahore High Court (LHC) will annul the elections of Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz.

“The son was brought through a fake method. The parliament is being run in a fake manner. Pakistan’s political situation is critical. Elections are necessary for political stability,” he said.

Fawad Chaudhry hoped Hamza Shehbaz’s election as chief minister will be declared as null and void. He said the court is reversing the decisions of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) which means they were not in accordance with the law.

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