Reserved seats uncertainty: ECP again approaches Supreme Court

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has challenged the Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan’s September 14 detailed verdict regarding the allotment of women and non-muslim reserved seats to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

The ECP explained in its plea that the apex court’s July 12 ruling came before the Election Amendment Act 2024; on this amendment, the ECP sought clarification from the apex court on whether to follow the amended parliamentary law or the top court’s September 14 detailed verdict.

The 8-5 majority ruling of the Supreme Court’s verdict on reserved seats read, “Withdrawal of election symbol cannot disqualify a political party from elections.”

It further read, “The PTI was and is a political party.”

On September 14, the top court issued the detailed verdict of its July 12 ruling, directing the ECP to allot reserved seats to PTI.

Meanwhile, the Election Amendment Act 2024 stated, “A candidate who does not submit the party certificate before obtaining the election symbol will be considered an independent candidate. If the list of candidates for reserved seats is not submitted within the specified period, no political party will be entitled to those seats.”