Pak poll panel rejects Nawaz Sharif’s nominee

ISLAMABAD, Dec 18: Pakistan’s Election Commission today rejected the nomination papers of Senator Mohammad Rafiq Tarrar, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s candidate for the President’s post.

Election Commissioner Mukhtar Ahmad Junejo said he had rejected the nomination papers of Tarrar, as they were “incomplete”. The Presidential poll is scheduled for December 31. The rejection of Sharif’s candidate has surprised political observers. It had been assumed that Sharif’s candidate would be elected President since the ruling PML-N and its coalition partners enjoy an overwhelming majority in both Houses of Parliament. The electoral college comprises the two Houses of Parliament and the four provincial assemblies.