SC issues written order in Suri’s de-seating case

Suspends ECP’s October 2 decision of removing NA deputy speaker from his post

ISLAMABAD: The apex court has issued a written order of the October 7 hearing regarding the appeal filed by National Assembly Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri against the Election Commission of Pakistan’s judgement.

In the judgement, the Supreme Court suspended the ECP’s October 2 decision wherein Suri was ordered to be de-seated from the post of the deputy speaker.

The written order ruled that the ECP’s decision of September 27 would also be considered suspended.

According to the verdict, the petitioner’s lawyer had requested interim relief adopting the stance that if the directives were not suspended the constituency would be deprived of public representation.

The court issued notices to both the respondents after which the proceedings moved forward.

The top court had approved Suri’s appeal for hearing after which a three-member bench, headed by Justice Umar Ata Bandial, had heard the case. During the hearing, Justice Bandial said that as long as the case was being heard, the stay order would remain effective.

During the hearing, Suri’s lawyer Naeem Bukhari said that his client won the slot by a difference of over 5,000 votes, adding that he had bagged 25,973 votes while the runner-up got 20,089 votes.

He said Nadra rejected 52,000 votes owing to low quality ink and how could his client be held responsible for that.

Justice Ijazul Ahsan said one of the accusations was related to rigging in the election tribunal and 19 people testified to it.

The Balochistan election tribunal - while overturning the victory of Suri from NA-256 Quetta II - had ordered fresh elections.

Suri approached the SC against the election tribunal’s decision. The appeal was filed by Bukhari.