Blow to PTI: ECP Deems Sunni Ittehad Council Not Eligible for Reserved Seats

Sunni Ittehad Council Not Eligible for Reserved Seats

Nadia Nawaz | March 4, 2024 | 10:53 PM IST | Pakistan News, Politics, World | Follow on Google News

Blow to PTI: ECP Deems Sunni Ittehad Council Not Eligible for Reserved Seats

Blow to PTI: ECP Deems Sunni Ittehad Council Not Eligible for Reserved Seats

In a significant setback for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) ruled that the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), backed by the Imran Khan-founded party, is “not eligible” for the reserved seats designated for women and minorities. Geo News reported the split decision with a 4-1 majority from the commission’s five-member bench, led by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja.

Reserved Seats Reallocated: Impact on Political Landscape

Following the decision, the remaining 77 reserved seats will be reassigned to other political entities, according to Geo News. The ECP emphasized that the SIC failed to submit the required priority list for reserved seats before the February 8 polls, leading to the deemed ineligibility. The electoral body cited “non-curable procedural and legal defects” for the ruling, signaling violations of constitutional provisions.

Dissenting Views within ECP: PTI Plans Legal Challenge

Despite the majority verdict, ECP Punjab member Hassan Bharwana dissented, concurring with the majority that SIC cannot claim the reserved seats due to a delayed priority list submission. However, he expressed dissent regarding the proportional allocation of seats to other parties. PTI swiftly criticized the ruling, asserting its intent to challenge the ECP decision in higher courts.

PTI’s Response: Challenging the Verdict

Shoaib Shaheen, a PTI leader, voiced dissatisfaction, stating the party’s intent to contest the ECP’s decision in court. He questioned the transparency of the ECP’s intentions and decisions, asserting that neither is clean. The party is prepared to approach the Supreme Court if relief is not obtained through the high court. PTI Senator Ali Zafar criticized the ECP’s decision, highlighting the composition of the National Assembly and emphasizing the party’s commitment to pursuing legal avenues in response to the setback.

Nadia Nawaz

Nadia Nawaz – a new journo in digital journalism covers stories, reports/articles from Pakistan. Nadia writes on various topics, include Politics, Economy,Sports and finance. she further holds a high head in field of graphic designing. Nadia can be reached on nawaznadia20@gmail.com