The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Wakf Board elections held

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Thursday, Jan 17, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Wakf Board elections held

Staff Reporter

Six candidates in the fray for two seats

Of the 151 voters, 145 exercised their franchise till closure of polling
As per the High Court directions counting of votes was not taken up

HYDERABAD: Elections were held to the Mutawalli and managing committee categories of Wakf Board here on Wednesday. There were in all six candidates in the fray for the two seats. Of the 151 voters, 145 exercised their franchise till the closure of polling at 4 p.m. The election took place at the Haj House, Nampally.

However, as per the High Court directions counting of votes was not taken up. The ballot box was sealed and deposited in the District Treasury Office, Nampally. “Only after the Court’s clearance results will be declared”, said Election Officer Mohd. Siddique.

Voting rights

The six candidates who contested the elections on Wednesday are : Akber Nizamuddin Hussaini, Mohd. Abdul Jabbar, Mohd. Iqbal Ahmed, Mohd. Shahenshah, Mirza Shaheriyar Baig and K. M. Safiullah. Interestingly, two years ago elections were held to MP, MLA and Bar Council categories but the result was not declared when the managing committee members of Wakf institutions went to court demanding voting rights.

Court direction

This time Rajya Sabha member Aziz Pasha, approached the court questioning the competence of Mirza Hasan Ali Baig, then Election Officer, who conducted the poll in 2005.

Admitting the plea, the court directed the Wakf Board to conduct the election process but not to declare the result. The Wakf Board has 11 members. Of them, six are elected and the remaining nominated by the Government. This includes one officer of deputy secretary cadre, one Shia community member, two eminent religious scholars and one representative of eminent Muslim organisation.

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