LHC, ECP at loggerheads over formation of election tribunals

Election commission seeks Supreme Court's help to suspend high court's ruling

The issue between the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the Lahore High Court (LHC) over the formation of election tribunals has intensified, with both constitutional bodies at odds with each other.

According to Express News, a meeting was held at the ECP on Thursday during which it was decided that the election body would not nominate its representatives for the tribunals, nor would it participate in their proceedings.

Sources also informed that consultations were held regarding the filing of a presidential reference in the judicial council against LHC Chief Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan and Justice Shahid Kareem.

Sources further revealed that three types of election tribunals have been established for the hearing of electoral disputes; one with consultation between both parties, another by LHC without consultation with the commission, and the third by the electoral body without consultation with the high court.

Also read: LHC forms eight election tribunals

The commission has challenged the LHC's decision to form eight election tribunals in the Supreme Court, seeking to suspend the ruling under Section 3 of the Election Act, 2017.

In the petition, it was stated that LHC's decision is against the law as the formation of tribunals falls under the jurisdiction of the election commission. It added that the high court cannot exercise the powers of the election body, and therefore, the Supreme Court should declare the decision null and void and set a date for the appeal hearing.

The decision to establish the tribunals was taken after Chief Justice Khan issued orders on Wednesday.