LAHORE: An election tribunal on Wednesday ordered verification of thumb impressions on votes polled in NA-122 and PP-147 constituencies.

The tribunal ordered the National Database & Registration Authority (NADRA) to verify thumb impressions of votes polled in 284 polling stations of NA-122 and remaining 111 polling stations of PP-147 in one month and submit a report.

The tribunal comprising Justice (R) Kazim Ali Malik passed the orders while allowing applications filed by PTI Chairman Imran Khan and his party candidate Shoaib Siddiqui for verification of voter's thumb impressions in NA-122 and PP-147, respectively.

The applications were filed in pending election petitions being heard by the tribunal wherein Imran Khan challenged the election of National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq from Na-122 constituency and Shoaib Siddiqui had challenged the election of PML-N Mohsin Latif from PP-147.

The tribunal had reserved the verdict on applications after hearing arguments on February 27 and it was announced today in presence of parties.

It is pertinent to mention that the PP-147 constituency had a total of 117 polling stations and the tribunal had already received thumb verification report of six polling stations of PP-147 from NADRA.

On Last hearing, Imran Khan and Shoaib Siddiqui's counsels pleaded the court to order verification of voters' thumb impressions from NADRA as it would further support their oral evidence.

However, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Mohsin latif's counsels opposed the request and submitted that it was not the duty of tribunal to assist the petitioner in collection of evidence and no law compel tribunal to do it.

They said that there was no provision of thumb verification in the law and it was a novel method.

APP