ECP convenes meeting to review SC order

Sources said legal team will brief the members

ISLAMABAD:

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has convened its meeting in the wake of Supreme Court's order in response to the electoral watchdog's plea seeking guidance with regard to implementation of the reserved seats verdict.

According to sources, the ECP huddle will review the recent order of the Supreme Court. The legal team of the ECP will brief the ECP members, and a future strategy will be evolved.

It is pertinent to mention that the Supreme Court of Pakistan termed the ECP's miscellaneous petitions as a delaying tactic in implementing the court's order.

The ECP sources said, "The ECP is a constitutional organization and it will not accept any threat against it," adding, "Such a treatment with a constitutional organization is inappropriate."

According to ECP, the Supreme Court announced its short-verdict in reserved seats case on July 12. In response to the decision, the ECP filed CMA on July 25 within the legal timeframe.

However, the apex court issued its order after two months on its CMA on September 14. Election Commission is not responsible for delay in implementation of the Supreme Court's order.

The sources said, "It is not the right impression that the ECP has accepted Barrister Gohar Ali Khan as PTI chairman." The matter of PTI intra-party election is under consideration at the ECP and the final decision has yet to come on it, they added.

They further said, "The ECP has always attempted to decide the matter at the earliest but the PTI used delaying tactics now and then.

The ECP spokesperson said in a statement that the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) had postponed his visit to Layyah on Monday and he would remain available in his office at Election Commission Secretariat.