Contempt plea filed against CEC

A contempt of court petition has been filed in the Supreme Court against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja and other members of Election Commission of Pakistan including Nasir Durrani and Shah Mehmood Jatoi over the watchdog's alleged failure to take measures for transparency in elections.

The petition, filed by Advocate Azhar Siddiqui, stated that the Supreme Court had ruled in March 2021 with reference to the Senate that elections should be fair and transparent.

But modern technology has not yet been utilised in elections, the plea regretted and added numerous letters have been written in this regard but no action has been taken yet.

"No action has been taken against those involved in corruption and rigging in the election so far."

The petition prayed the court to initiate contempt proceedings against the ECP officials for contempt.

On March 1, 2021, the apex court while giving its opinion on the presidential reference regarding Senate elections suggested that the ECP could use latest technology to hold transparent elections.

"The Election Commission is required to take all available measures including utilising technologies to fulfill the solemn constitutional duty to ensure that the election is 'conducted honestly, justly, fairly and in accordance with law and that corrupt practices are guarded against'."

It had said that it was the duty of the ECP to ensure that the election is conducted honestly, justly, fairly, and in accordance with law and that corrupt practices are guarded against.