The Oxford University on Wednesday issued a list of 38 candidates eligible to contest the post of its next chancellor, leaving out Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, whose party had vigorously campaigned for his candidacy.
The final list of candidates eligible to contest the first round of voting, taking place in the week commencing Oct. 28, includes several individuals of Pakistani origin. Among the candidates are Sidra Aftab; Hasanat Ahmad; Anwar Baig; Kashif Bilal; and Talha Shah. According to Oxford University, the first round of voting requires voters to rank as many candidates as they choose. This would be followed with a second round between the top 5 candidates, with the winner becoming the next chancellor of Oxford. The voting would be conducted online to make it accessible to all alumni.
Former prime minister Khan had submitted his nomination for the chancellorship but was reportedly deemed ineligible to contest due to his ongoing incarceration.
Earlier this week, British daily The Times noted the controversy surrounding Khan’s candidacy, as well as the belief of many PTI supporters that his potential victory in the election would facilitate his release from prison. It said the contentious candidacy had seen the student body and the alumni divided into pro- and anti-Imran Khan camps, with an open letter signed by hundreds of students supporting his nomination, while counter-protests had opposed it.
The daily further reported on protests against the candidacy, led by Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) U.K. Youth Wing leader Khurram Butt, that had sought to advance their views against Khan through leaflets.