LAHORE: The terms of reference (ToRs) for the inspection of the polling record of the NA-122 constituency were issued by the Lahore election tribunal on Wednesday, while National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq`s legal team contemplated moving superior courts against the process initiated on the request of PTI chief Imran Khan.

Tribunal member Kazim Ali Malik had ordered on Monday opening of the polling bags while allowing an application of Mr Khan, the runner-up candidate in the National Assembly constituency from where the speaker was elected in last year`s general elections.

`We are yet to decide whether to approach the Lahore High Court or the Supreme Court against the tribunal`s order,` Mr Sadiq`s counsel Barrister Asjad Saeed said. He claimed that the order was a violation of rules set by the apex court. The tribunal was bound to decide about the maintainability of Mr Khan`s petition before ordering the inspection, he added.

A local commission comprising retiredsessions judge Ghulam Hussain Awan has been tasked by the tribunal with opening the election bags and checking their seals.

The commission will check the number of ballot papers counted for the respective candidates that do not bear the stamp and signature of a presiding or assistant presiding officer.

The tribunal asked the district returning officer and treasury officer to make fool-proof arrangements for transportation of the election record from the treasury to the of ficial building earmarked for the inspection.

The Lahore police chief was asked to provide security to the officials engaged in transporting the record.

The tribunal rejected an argument of the speaker`s counsel about leading evidence before deciding on the application for opening the bags.

Mr Malik said it was the primary duty of the tribunal to regulate its proceedings keeping in view the circumstances of the case and nature of the controversy. He said full opportunity would be given to the returned candidate for presenting his evidence after disposal of the petitioner`s pleaforinspection ofthe record.