The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday ordered the recount of votes in the election of Hamza Shahbaz as Chief Minister (CM) of Punjab. However, the court has asked to exclude the votes of 25 PTI dissidents as it announced the verdict on the party’s pleas challenging Hamza Shahbaz’s election to the seat.
A five-member larger bench of the high court, headed by Justice Sadaqat Ali Khan, approved petitions against the incumbent chief minister, PML-N’s Hamza Shahbaz. According to the details, the bench has decided the case with 4-1 on the petitions challenging the election of Hamza on April 16.
The Lahore High Court (LHC) has directed the Governor Punjab to summon a session of the Punjab Assembly on July 1. “The assembly members votes recounted minus 25 defecting members.” the court ordered. “Hamza Shahbaz’s decisions as Chief Minister will not be void.” the court added.
Hamza Shahbaz will no longer be the Chief Minister if he doesn’t hold majority, while a second round of polls will be held as per Article 130(4) in case no one gets the majority after recount.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has summoned an emergency meeting over the high court’s decision.
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