Controversy erupts in Lahore High Court Bar elections as rival groups claim victory

LAHORE (Muhammad Ashfaq) - The annual elections of the Lahore High Court Bar Association have become highly controversial, with both the Ahsan Bhoon group and Hamid Khan group declaring their respective candidates as winners.

The election board declared Hamid Khan group’s presidential candidate, Babar Murtaza, victorious allegedly an hour before the scheduled end of polling.

During the elections, a tense contest took place between the two groups. Disputes arose when Punjab Bar Council member Masood Khokhar’s vote was allegedly miscast. Ahsan Bhoon group strongly protested, demanding an inquiry from the biometric IT in-charge, revealing alleged irregularities. Amid the chaos, the election board halted polling and announced results prematurely.

According to the board, Babar Murtaza of Hamid Khan group secured 6,234 votes, while Ahsan Bhoon group’s Raja Amir Khan received 3,781 votes. On the secretary post, Qasim Ijaz Samra won with 5,429 votes. For vice president, Sohail Qaiser Tarar secured 4,160 votes, while Malik Ali Raza Khokhar was elected finance secretary with 2,068 votes.

Ahsan Bhoon group rejected the results and occupied the bar president’s office with Raja Amir Khan, who addressed the lawyers, claiming: “The bar community has declared me the new president. I will begin my duties and hold a press conference.”
Hamid Khan group, observing alleged irregularities and disputed votes, halted polling at 3:00 pm and prematurely announced election results at 3:15 pm. The election commission stated that forensic checks of disputed votes would be conducted. In response, Hamid Khan group reportedly removed computers, IT devices, and servers used in the elections.

Raja Amir Khan alleged: “Hamid Khan group announced fake results two hours before polling concluded. Legal action will be taken against those who seized election records and bar assets. Our victory celebration will be held on March 2 at 10:00 am in Karachi Hall, Lahore High Court.”

Meanwhile, Babar Murtaza thanked the lawyers for their support, stating that the supremacy of law and constitution prevailed and promised a grand victory celebration on Monday. Supporters of both groups reportedly raised slogans during the tense vote counting.

Strict security arrangements were deployed during the elections, with additional police personnel assigned to maintain order.