Islamabad, September 26, 2024– The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has once again approached the Supreme Court, seeking clarification regarding the reserved seats for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in light of recent legal developments.
In its appeal, the ECP has requested guidance on how to reconcile the July 12 court decision with the newly passed Election Amendment Act. The commission highlighted that the new legal framework was not in place when the court initially made its ruling, and they now seek direction on whether to prioritize the Supreme Court’s decision or the newly enacted law by Parliament.
The matter has sparked internal debate within the ECP, with the commission holding eight meetings to discuss the issue. After consulting extensively, the ECP decided to approach the Supreme Court for additional clarification. The commission’s appeal is also backed by the Speaker of the National Assembly, who previously indicated that the Election Act is now fully enforced.
This latest appeal has raised significant questions about the balance between judicial decisions and parliamentary law, with the ECP eager to receive further clarification on how to proceed. According to reports, some internal disagreements within the commission delayed the final decision on the matter.
This petition comes after the ECP had already sought a review of the original Supreme Court ruling, and now they are seeking further clarification based on additional legal grounds.
The ECP awaits the Supreme Court’s response as it continues to manage the evolving political and legal landscape surrounding the PTI’s reserved seats.
