GNN exclusive; why were 7 votes rejected

According to the sources, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) itself asked seven senators to stamp over the name of Yousuf Raza Gillani, who is also the former premier of the country.

Gillani's son Qasim Gillani gave special instructions to the senators which were complied by them. The directive was intended to ensure that they voted for Yousuf Raza Gillani.

It is pertinent here to mention that the members of the Upper House of the Parliament on Friday elected government’s candidates Sadiq Sanjrani  and Mirza Muhammad Afridi for top senate slots, while Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) candidates Yousuf Raza Gilani and Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri faced defeat.

A total of 98 members of senate voted for Chairman and Deputy Chairman. Sadiq Sanjrani got 48 votes while his opponent Yousuf Raza Gilani got 42 votes and 7 votes were rejected.

Likewise, ex-FATA Senator Mirza Afridi secured 54 votes, defeating PDM candidate Abdul Ghafoor Haideri who got only 44 votes.

The opposition claimed that the intention of voters was clear in seven votes that were rejected by the presiding officer and announced to challenge the election in a court of law.