ISLAMABAD, Feb 19 (INP): Dejected at the rejection of his nomination papers for the Senate election by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Pervaiz Rashid on Friday challenged the ECP’s decision in the Lahore High Court (LHC).

In the petition, filed through Azam Nazir Tarar Advocate, the veteran PML-N leader argued that he was ready to deposit Rs9.5 million for the purpose, and for that he had approached Punjab House administration, but the latter did not provide bank details.

He also said that he even talked to the Returning Officer (RO), but he did not give any details either. “The government is deliberately not receiving the money,” Rashid alleged in the petition.

He prayed to the court to order the ECP to receive the amount from him so that his nomination papers could be accepted. “Please declare me eligible to contest the Senate elections,” the PML-N leader implored.

Candidates for the Senate elections, 2021 have started challenging the ROs’ decisions from Friday as the third phase of the elections schedule got underway.

The candidates would file their appeals in Appellate Tribunals on Friday as well as on Saturday.

The tribunals are to decide fate of these appeals maximum by February 23 following which they would issue the final list of the candidates on February 24.

The candidates would be able to withdraw their candidature by February 25.

Total 141 candidates are running for 48 Senate seats.