Answer PTI charges of poll fraud, court tells ECP
Chastises poll body for failing to implement judgment on reforms.
Chastises poll body for failing to implement judgment on reforms. PHOTO: EXPRESS/FILE
ISLAMABAD:
The Supreme Court has sought a reply from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) regarding the non-implementation of its June 8, 2012 judgment regarding the introduction of election reforms during the general elections in May 2013.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf through its counsel Hamid Khan submitted an application, saying the court’s directions in the Workers Party case were flouted by the ECP; the statement included details of alleged electoral fraud during the elections. The PTI has also sought verification of voters’ thumb impressions in NA-110, NA-122, NA-125 and NA-154.
A three-judge bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Tassaduq Hussain Jillani on Thursday directed the commission to file a reply to PTI’s plea regarding the alleged rigging within 15 days.
PTI chief Imran Khan and other party leaders were present in the courtroom on the day but the hearing of the case continued for a quick five minutes. Later, Hamid Khan spoke with the media outside the courtroom and gave a detailed briefing of the proceedings.
Speaking with the media, Imran Khan demanded that officials who were involved in rigging should be punished. He further stated that general elections should not be held until those responsible for the fraud are punished.
The PTI chief reiterated that the party would push for democracy in the country and ‘peaceful protest is the party’s right’. Earlier, the court examined the application filed by Workers Party Pakistan about non-implementation of the court’s June 8, 2012 judgment on election reforms in the general elections and any subsequent polls.
Bilal Hasan Minto, counsel for the petitioner, submitted that the commission had failed to implement the reforms and failed to discharge its constitutional mandate under Article 218 (3) of the Constitution to hold free, fair, just elections.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 9th, 2014.
The Supreme Court has sought a reply from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) regarding the non-implementation of its June 8, 2012 judgment regarding the introduction of election reforms during the general elections in May 2013.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf through its counsel Hamid Khan submitted an application, saying the court’s directions in the Workers Party case were flouted by the ECP; the statement included details of alleged electoral fraud during the elections. The PTI has also sought verification of voters’ thumb impressions in NA-110, NA-122, NA-125 and NA-154.
A three-judge bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Tassaduq Hussain Jillani on Thursday directed the commission to file a reply to PTI’s plea regarding the alleged rigging within 15 days.
PTI chief Imran Khan and other party leaders were present in the courtroom on the day but the hearing of the case continued for a quick five minutes. Later, Hamid Khan spoke with the media outside the courtroom and gave a detailed briefing of the proceedings.
Speaking with the media, Imran Khan demanded that officials who were involved in rigging should be punished. He further stated that general elections should not be held until those responsible for the fraud are punished.
The PTI chief reiterated that the party would push for democracy in the country and ‘peaceful protest is the party’s right’. Earlier, the court examined the application filed by Workers Party Pakistan about non-implementation of the court’s June 8, 2012 judgment on election reforms in the general elections and any subsequent polls.
Bilal Hasan Minto, counsel for the petitioner, submitted that the commission had failed to implement the reforms and failed to discharge its constitutional mandate under Article 218 (3) of the Constitution to hold free, fair, just elections.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 9th, 2014.