A high-profile election challenge ends in disappointment as strict legal procedures block the path for Dr. Yasmin Rashid

The election tribunal rejects PTI-Punjab president Dr. Yasmin Rashid’s petition against Nawaz Sharif’s NA-130 victory, citing missed deadlines, improper filing, and non-compliance with the Election Act 2017.

Tribunal Rejects Yasmin’s Petition

An election tribunal cited multiple superior court judgments to reject Dr. Yasmin Rashid’s petition.
The tribunal said noncompliance with statutory requirements under the Election Act 2017 mandates summary rejection of election petitions.

Background of the Case

Dr. Rashid, PTI-Punjab president, challenged the NA-130, Lahore election. She had contested as an independent candidate and finished runner-up with 104,491 votes. Official results declared Nawaz Sharif, PML-N president, the winner with 179,312 votes.

Allegations in the Petition

Dr. Rashid alleged systematic fraud in the election. She claimed rigging, unlawful replacement of the returning officer, and altered results. Her legal team cited Form-45 data, showing she had allegedly won by 20,895 votes.

Legal Technicalities

The tribunal noted several defects in the petition:

• The petition was filed by her husband via attorney, not Dr. Rashid herself.
• Section 139(1) requires candidates to file petitions personally.
• The petition was 16 days late, missing the 45-day statutory deadline.
• Verification was incomplete, lacking the exact filing date.
• Affidavits of service to 17 respondents were missing, violating Section 144.

Tribunal Verdict

The tribunal stated that Section 145(1) of the Election Act mandates summary rejection for non-compliant petitions. It relied on seven superior court judgments, including a 2019 case challenging Imran Khan’s 2018 election victory. Despite arguments about alleged grave corrupt practices, the tribunal maintained that procedural compliance is essential. The petition was dismissed through a short order on December 30, 2025.

Critical Analysis

1. Importance of Legal Compliance

The verdict highlights the strict legal framework governing election challenges in Pakistan. Missed deadlines and procedural lapses can nullify even serious allegations of fraud.

2. Impact on Political Landscape

The rejection reinforces the authority of PML-N in NA-130. It signals that technicalities in election law are non-negotiable, limiting political maneuvering.

3. Implications for PTI

For PTI, the loss of a legal challenge in Lahore is a significant setback. It may require more rigorous legal preparation in future petitions.

4. Wider Electoral Lessons

The case underscores the need for strict adherence to statutory provisions under the Election Act 2017. It shows that procedural lapses can outweigh substantive claims of fraud.

5. Public Perception

While some may sympathize with Dr. Rashid’s claims, the rule of law and electoral procedures remain paramount. The decision could affect public trust in election petition outcomes.