SIC’s reserved seat claim challenged

Party admits no-one contested polls on its symbol; PML-N, PPP question seat allocation to non-winning party

ISLAMABAD:

The allocation of reserved seats to the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) in the national and provincial legislatures has hit a snag. In response to a letter from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), the SIC acknowledged that no one contested the Feb 8 general elections under its symbol.

Consequently, the party lacks a list of women candidates, as they didn't participate in the polls, exempting them from the requirements of Section 206 of the Election Act.

The SIC's sudden prominence came about when independent candidates, formerly affiliated with the PTI, joined forces with them. This alliance emerged after the ECP stripped the PTI of its election symbol in December, forcing its candidates to run as independents.

During the hearing before the ECP, Barrister Ali Zafar, representing the SIC, argued for the allocation of reserved seats, emphasizing the inclusion of PTI-backed candidates in their party. However, opposition from other parties, including PTI, PML-N, PPP, and MQM, complicated matters.

Barrister Zafar underscored that the SIC had filed an application for reserved seats, asserting their rightful claim. Meanwhile, other parties questioned the legitimacy of granting reserved seats to a party that failed to secure any electoral wins and wasn't recognized as a parliamentary entity.

According to Section 206 of the Election Act, the ECP had sought a list of women candidates from all the political parties under which they were required to maintain a quota of five per cent for female contestants. They were further required to submit a list of women candidates contesting the polls.

Meanwhile, the ECP on Tuesday deferred the hearing of a plea seeking allotment of reserved seats to the SIC, and six other applications challenging them for a day.

A five-member bench of the polls supervisory body led by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja and including Nisar Ahmed Durrani, Shah Muhammad Jatoi, Babar Hassan Bharwana, and Justice (retd) Ikramulllah heard the pleas.

Barrister Ali Zafar represented the SIC, Barrister Gohar Khan PTI, Barrister Farogh Naseem MQM, Azam Nazir Tarar PML-N and Farooq H Naek appeared on behalf of PPP.

Read also: ECP to hear SIC reserved seats case today

SIC counsel Ali Zafar adopted the stance that they had filed an application for the allotment of reserved seats.

The lawyer expressed unawareness for what reason the applications against the reserved seats had been filed, adding that the public mandate was “snatched” on Feb 8 and they were deprived of party’s symbol of “bat”.

“We were not called [by the ECP]. All the independent candidates belong to our party. PTI won by two-thirds majority. Eighty-six MNAs joined SIC,” he said.

Zafar said six applications had been filed against their plea overnight, vowing to stand by the PTI till the “last breath”.

Tarar and Naek emphasized that it was up to the commission to determine whether the SIC could secure the reserved seats or not.

Barrister Zafar stressed that his party’s reserved seats could not be claimed by anyone else, highlighting that the SIC had already submitted a petition to the ECP for the allocation of reserved seats.

PTI’s Barrister Gohar urged the bench to allocate reserved seats to the SIC.

PML-N’s Tarar countered by asking how independent members affiliated with the SIC, which failed to win even a single seat, could be granted the reserved seats.

Read: The reserved seats’ dilemma

He argued that these members, originating from a party rejected by the electorate, did not initially apply for reserved seats.

Furthermore, he questioned how could the SIC be allotted reserved seats when the SIC was not recognized as a parliamentary party.

The CEC advised them to leave the issue of reserved seats to the ECP for decision, adding that they would listen to all the parties.

Barrister Zafar stated that they had not yet received copies of the applications, requesting the commission to provide them. He assured that they would submit their response the same day.

Naek urged the ECP to call all the parties concerned and hear them, saying it was a legal issue, and not a political one.

Gohar contended that their opponents did not win a seat in Lahore and had been asking for the SIC seats.

ECP member Ikramullah observed that the PML-N, PPP and the MQM had requested that the reserved seats be distributed among them.

The CEC adjourned the hearing until Wednesday (today).

Later, while talking to media, Barrister Gohar said the meeting of the National Assembly would be illegal until a decision was taken on the reserved seats, hoping that the decision of the ECP is based on justice.