Pak presidential hopeful’s papers accepted despite ‘lack of beard’

A rival candidate,Zahoor Hussain,argued before the Chief Election Commissioner that the PML-N nominee was unfit to become the head of the Islamic republic

Pakistan’s Election Commission Friday accepted the nomination of the main contender for the office of President,overruling an objection by a rival that he is not eligible for the post as he does not sport a beard.

The issue of Mamnoon Hussain,nominated by the ruling PLM-N,not having a beard came up during the scrutiny of nomination papers by the Election Commission.

A rival candidate,Zahoor Hussain,argued before the Chief Election Commissioner that the PML-N nominee was unfit to become the head of the Islamic republic as he does not have a beard.

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Zahoor Hussain contended that this is a violation of the traditions of Prophet Mohammed.

However,the EC rejected the objection and cleared Hussains candidature for the July 30 poll.

zardaris party to boycott elections

Pakistans former ruling party will boycott the forthcoming presidential election,saying Friday the decision to move the vote forward by a week deprived it of enough time to campaign. The announcement by the Pakistan Peoples Party will likely have little impact on the outcome of the election,since many analysts expected the candidate nominated by the current ruling party,the Pakistan Muslim League-N,to win.