PTI moves JCP against CEC, ECP officials

Reference says ECP violated the constitution by declaring 'overseas Pakistanis' as 'foreigners'

The Pakistan Tehreek-e- Insaf (PTI) re-filed its reference after amendments on Friday with the Supreme Court in a bid to remove the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja from the post.

According to details, the reference was filed by overseas Pakistani Aslam Malik on behalf of the PTI and sent to the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) whereby the removal of CEC and other senior officials from their respective offices was sought.

The reference contends that the ECP – the electoral watchdog, was guilty of misconduct in the PTI prohibited funding case, seriously violating the country’s laws by declaring overseas Pakistanis as foreigners and the verdict against the party, therefore, is unconstitutional.

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The CEC and other members reneged on their oath, the reference alleged while also stating that the commission made “many decisions that fall under misconduct in the past” as well.

Earlier this week, the ECP had announced its ruling in the long-awaited, cliffhanger case of the PTI's prohibited funding and ruled that the party did indeed receive illegal funding, while issuing a notice to the party asking why the funds should not be confiscated.

After the ruling, the government had decided to send a declaration against the PTI to the SC.

Addressing a news conference yesterday after a federal cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb had said action against the PTI would be taken under the Political Parties Order (PPO) 2002 and the Election Act 2017.

Meanwhile, a large number of supporters and lawmakers from the PTI had protested in Islamabad against the ECP, demanding the resignation of CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja.

“The ECP is no longer functioning as a state body, but as a subsidiary of the PDM [Pakistan Democratic Movement-led] coalition”, former planning minister Asad Umar had told reporters.

He urged the CEC to resign because “two provincial assemblies have passed resolutions against the ECP”.