ECP denies PTI's request for delay

PML-N lawmakers from Islamabad accuse election tribunal of not following procedure

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday turned down the PTI’s request to defer hearing of petitions filed by the ruling party’s lawmakers from the federal capital against an election tribunal hearing complaints of alleged rigging in the February 8 general elections.

A bench led by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja and comprising four ECP provincial members took up the pleas filed by PML-N lawmakers Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, Anjum Aqeel Khan, and Raja Khurram Nawaz.

During the hearing, the lawyer for PTI informed the bench that a related matter was pending before the Islamabad High Court (IHC). They requested a brief adjournment, stating that candidate Shoaib Shaheen would arrive shortly. The PML-N candidates opposed the request to postpone the hearing.

ECP’s member from Balochistan pointed out that as there was no stay order from a court yet, the proceedings by the polls oversight authority should continue. The ECP later rejected the PTI lawyer’s request for an adjournment.

During the hearing, PML-N leader Anjum Aqeel Khan's lawyer began his arguments by stating that the initial decision by the tribunal comprising IHC Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri was made in the absence of the PML-N candidates.

He said the tribunal directed the consolidation of Forms 45 and 47, adding that the election tribunal scheduled PTI candidates’ petitions for hearing even after the designated time.

The PML-N lawyer said the election tribunal had issued notices to all parties to submit their responses, including the ECP. He questioned whether the tribunal had the authority to issue directives to the polls oversight authority.

The ECP member from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa inquired whether the election tribunal could issue directives to the ECP, asking if the institution that created the tribunal was subordinate to it.

The PML-N lawyer reiterated that the election tribunal could not issue directives to the ECP. He expressed concern that the tribunal was not granting them adequate time and that the matter was being rushed.

PTI’s Shoaib Shaheen told the bench that the party had challenged the ECP’s proceedings against the election tribunal in the IHC. "It is possible that we might get a stay order. Please grant us time until Monday," he requested.

In response, the chief election commissioner said, "If you have an order from any court directing us not to proceed or to halt the hearing, please bring it." The bench later adjourned the hearing till today (Friday).