During the recent Supreme Court hearing over the Sunni Ittehad Council’s (SIC) appeal against an ECP decision not to allocate reserved seats, Justice Jamal Mandokhail raised critical questions about the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) acquisition of an election symbol in 2018. Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Qazi Faez Isa, leading the 13-member full bench, responded by highlighting potential implications on past matters, including the Senate Chairman’s election.
The lawyer for the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) presented legal arguments, emphasizing that the PTI had not conducted intra-party elections according to the law. The issue revolved around the validity of Barrister Gohar’s signature as Chairman on PTI tickets due to the absence of a legal organizational structure at the time of ticket issuance. Justice Mandokhail pointed out discrepancies in the timing of the intra-party elections case decision and the issuance of party tickets, raising concerns about the process.
The court delved into the significance of party tickets and candidate affiliations, with Justice Mandokhail emphasizing the crucial role of party tickets in determining a candidate’s status. The debate also encompassed discrepancies in the submission of party tickets and the issue of candidates being considered independent due to undisclosed party affiliations.
The PTI Chairperson Barrister Gohar’s testimony and accusations against the ECP added complexity to the proceedings, further intensifying the scrutiny over the legitimacy of the election process. Additionally, concerns were raised regarding the potential impact on election schedules and the legality of PTI’s election process.
The intertwined legal arguments, responses from counsel representing different parties, and the involvement of various political factions added layers of complexity to the case. The Supreme Court’s scrutiny of the PTI’s election process and the subsequent impact on independent candidates aligned with the detailed legal intricacies of the case. The hearing highlighted the contentious nature of the issues at hand and the potential implications for future elections and party representation.
