Thumbprint verification: CJ recuses himself from case

Says he was the acting EC when the plea was filed

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice Nasirul Mulk on Monday recused himself from hearing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s plea over thumbprint verification in four constituencies.

The three-member bench of the top court, headed by the chief justice (CJ) took up Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Workers Party Pakistan’ petition regarding the non-implementation of its June 8, 2012 ruling on the introduction of election reforms during the May 2013 general elections.

During the hearing the chief justice pointed out that since he was the acting chief election commissioner when PTI moved the applications, it would not be fair for him to continue hearing the case.

Subsequently, Justice Mulk ordered the formation of a new bench to hear the petition, which will be heard on November 10.

Last year, PTI, through its counsel Hamid Khan, had submitted an application regarding how the court’s directions in Workers’ Party case judgment were flouted by the poll body. In its application, the party had also sought ‘verification of thumbprint impressions’ in NA-110, NA-122, NA-125 and NA 154.

Meanwhile, in its response submitted through Additional Secretary Sher Afgan, the ECP informed the court that the election plan for last year’s polls was chalked out by the returning officers (ROs).

The ECP said that in view of chapter-III of the Representation of People’s Act 1976, the poll body appointed district retuning officers, returning officers and assisting returning officers who were serving as judicial officers in the lower judiciary to conduct the May 11, 2013 elections.

The ROs, according to the reply, were directed to prepare a list of polling stations for each constituency under their jurisdiction.

Meanwhile, commenting on the issue, a senior PTI leader said, “now our demand is the audit of the entire election.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 14^th, 2014.