ECP response sought on allocation of reserved seats

KARACHI:

The Sindh High Court (SHC) has sought responses from relevant parties on a petition regarding the allocation of reserved seats by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to the PPP and MQM-P in the Sindh Assembly.

A two-judge bench, headed by SHC Chief Justice Aqeel Ahmad Abbasi, gave the direction on Saturday while hearing a petition filed by the Sunni Ittihad Council/PTI against the distribution of reserved seats by the ECP.

The lawyer for the petitioner, Barrister Tahir Ali, argued that the SIC is a political entity, with nine successful independent candidates from Sindh having joined the party. According to the law, the ECP was obligated to allocate two women and one minority seat to the SIC in the Sindh Assembly. However, the ECP allocated these seats to MQM-P and PPP.

Chief Justice Abbasi suggested that the petitioner approach the Supreme Court against the ECP’s decision. Barrister Tahir argued that the SHC has the authority to adjudicate on the matter at this initial stage.

The public prosecutor highlighted the necessity of providing names in advance for specific seats. It was noted that the SIC had failed to provide names for the reserved seats in the Sindh Assembly.

The chief justice questioned the purpose of further action given that the electoral process had concluded. Barrister Tahir contended that within three days of the election, independent candidates had joined the SIC, yet the ECP had allocated the council's reserved seat quotas to other parties. He prayed for the reinstatement of the SIC’s reserved seat quotas.

The court sought responses from the ECP, Sindh Assembly’s speaker, MQM-P, and PPP.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 7^th, 2024.