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PTI leader Hammad Azhar on Saturday claimed that Form 45s are missing from the election material provided to presiding officers by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) ahead of tomorrow\u2019s by-election in Lahore\u2019s NA-129 constituency.<\/p>\n
The by-election is being held after the seat fell vacant in July following the death <\/a>of Azhar\u2019s father, Mian Azhar.<\/p>\n In a post on X, Hammad said: \u201cWe are receiving reports that multiple presiding officers are missing Form 45s in the election materials they have received from ECP (Election Commission of Pakistan) for the by-elections of tomorrow. This is a serious violation of the electoral process.\u201d<\/p>\n The alarm came after he had earlier issued \u201cimportant instructions\u201d for his party\u2019s polling agents about the forms.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen the bags containing election materials are opened in the morning, make sure that the Forms 45 and Forms 46 in them are blank and shown to you. This is most important.\u201d<\/p>\n The PTI leader stressed the importance of the polling agents\u2019 presence during the polling and the counting processes. \u201cThe polling boxes must not be out of sight at any moment.\u201d<\/p>\n Hammad further told the agents that it was their \u201cright to obtain the Form-45 [filled] as per the count\u201d, and that any staff who obstructed this would be liable to strict legal punishment.<\/p>\n He directed all PTI workers at the party camps outside the polling stations to remain there after the polling had ended and \u201cpeacefully follow the presiding officer to the returning officer\u2019s (RO) office\u201d.<\/p>\n A candidate or their election agent can appoint \u201cas many polling agents as may be prescribed\u201d for each polling station to observe the process on behalf of the candidate under the Elections Act 2017<\/a>.<\/p>\n In another post, Hammad also gave a message to the presiding officers and the polling staff, urging them not to indulge in any \u201cillegal act\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are aware that you are being frightened and threatened,\u201d the PTI leader claimed, adding that those who were allegedly doing so were \u201cfinding immunity for themselves, buying property abroad and moving their families there\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cThey will push you into [carrying out] unconstitutional actions and flee themselves,\u201d Hammad contended.<\/p>\n \u201cBe careful! Do not put yourself in difficulty by taking any serious and illegal action at the behest of any intruder,\u201d the PTI leader said, urging them to fulfil their duty.<\/p>\n The NA-129 seat is being contested by Mian Azhar\u2019s nephew Chaudhry Arsalan Ahmad \u2014 nominated by Hammad, who himself is absconding<\/a> as he is wanted by the state in different cases.<\/p>\n