ISLAMABAD, Sep 27 (NNI): The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has filed a review petition challenging the Supreme Court of Pakistan’s explanation issued on September 14 regarding reserved seats.
As per details, in its petition, the ECP requested the annulment of the explanation, stating that it was not responsible for delays in implementing the Supreme Court’s decision.
The ECP explained that it had filed a request on July 25 seeking an explanation of the Supreme Court’s short order from July 12.
The ECP also questioned when the court issued notice to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to respond to the case, claiming it was not informed.
The petition further highlighted that after the ECP’s request for an explanation from the SC, the Parliament enacted the legislation.
Earlier on Thursday, the ECP approached the Supreme Court again to seek an explanation of its verdict in the Sunni Ittehad Council’s (SIC) reserved seats’ case, under which these seats were given to the PTI.
In its application, the ECP said it wanted the apex court’s guidance, especially in the light of the Election Amendment Act.
The election commission said that the last time, following the court’s brief order in the case on July 12, 2024, when a clarification had been sought, the Act did not exist.
“Now when an Act of the Parliament exists, the commission wants you to guide whether we should follow the Act or implement the SC’s verdict,” the ECP said.
Three days ago, the SC released a 70-page judgement on the reserved seat case of the SIC. SC Justice Mansoor Ali Shah wrote the verdict.
Prior to that, on July 12, the apex court had handed a major legal victory to the PTI, declaring it eligible for its share in the reserved seats in the National and four provincial assemblies.
The judgement, announced by a 13-member full-court bench, dealt a significant setback to the coalition government. NNI
