MULTAN: Secretary Commerce Division has declared Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) annual election 2018-19 null and void on the appeal of Sheikh Faheem, Saim Zulfiqar and others for irregularities in the registration of voters.
As per details, Sheikh Muhammad Naeem Sattar and other filed a post-election complaint before the Director General of Trade Organization (DGTO) alleging that a number of irregularities were committed during the conduct of election for the year 2018-19 of Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The main objections of the appellants were that 44 members included in the Associate class of voters were not eligible to become associate members of the chamber, as they qualify to become corporate members of MCCI.
The appellants alleged that inclusion of such a large number of members in the Associate class of voters was not a minor omission, as 44 voters are sufficient number to tilt the election in one way or the other. During the hearing, the appellants reiterated the objections and counsel for MCCI informed that the Chamber has a long history and has been functioning since prior 1947.
MCCI have been significant member of Trade Organization Ordinance 2007 and its subsequent enactment in 2013.MCCI also pointed out that said 44 members applied for membership as Associate class and they were granted membership in view of the criteria provided in the rules.
The Counsel of MCCI also highlighted that Trade Organization Rule 2013 provide for raising objections of the provisional voter list whereas the appellants had not raised any objection on these 44 members. Instead, the appellants has raised objection on some other voters included in the provisional voters list which were removed from the final voter list on the direction of DGTO.
