The petition states that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is facing uncertainty regarding the allocation of reserved seats. The ECP has once again approached the Supreme Court for clarification on this issue, following the issuance of a notification concerning the reserved seats.
During its eighth meeting on Thursday, the ECP made this decision. The petition filed in the Supreme Court highlights that when clarification was sought regarding the short order from July 12, the new legislation was not yet in effect. It requests guidance on how to interpret the court’s decision in light of the recently enacted Election (Amendment) Act. With Parliament having passed this law, the petition asks whether the ECP should adhere to parliamentary legislation or the Supreme Court’s ruling.
Furthermore, the petition emphasizes the ECP’s confusion regarding the reserved seats and requests clarification on the Supreme Court’s orders from July 12, September 14, and September 23. It notes that while the ECP aims to comply with court directives, following the September 14 order would conflict with the newly enacted law.
The ECP also expressed in the petition that, although it respects the Supreme Court’s decisions and cannot disregard its directives, it is uncertain how to determine candidates’ affiliations without a proper PTI party structure in place.
