Islamabad: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) dealt a significant setback to the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) on Monday by dismissing its petition seeking the allocation of reserved seats in the national and provincial assemblies. The religio-political party, which now accommodates PTI-backed candidates victorious in elections, faced a major blow as the ECP ruled against granting it reserved seats.
In its formal decision, the top electoral authority clarified that the Sunni Ittehad Council was not entitled to reserved seats and, consequently, decided against allotting such seats to the party. The ECP’s verdict included the allocation of the remaining reserved seats to other political parties, marking a crucial outcome in the aftermath of the elections.
A noteworthy aspect of the decision is the dissenting note penned by ECP Member from Punjab, Babar Hasan Barwana. Barwana’s dissenting opinion introduces an additional layer of complexity to the verdict, indicating internal differences within the commission.
The ECP’s five-member bench, responsible for adjudicating on the matter, had reserved its decision last Wednesday, just a day before the commencement of the National Assembly’s inaugural session. The timing of the verdict underscores its significance in shaping the political landscape, particularly regarding the distribution of reserved seats among various parties.
This development highlights the legal and procedural intricacies involved in post-election processes and the allocation of seats. The rejection of the Sunni Ittehad Council’s bid for reserved seats underscores the challenges and controversies that can arise in the aftermath of electoral outcomes, contributing to the ongoing discourse on electoral transparency and fairness in Pakistan.
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