Election Commission of Pakistan Rejects SIC’s Plea for Reserved Seats

In a significant development, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has delivered a verdict rejecting a petition filed by the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) seeking the allocation of reserved seats. The decision, issued by a five-member bench headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing political landscape.

The SIC, representing the new face of the PTI, had sought the allocation of reserved seats in the national and provincial assemblies. However, the ECP, in its 4-1 majority verdict, deemed the SIC ineligible for such allocation, with member Babar Hassan Bharwana dissenting from the judgment in an additional note.

The commission highlighted that the SIC had failed to meet the mandatory requirement of submitting a priority list of candidates for reserved seats within the stipulated timeframe. Despite receiving requests from the SIC, the ECP found that the party did not fulfill the necessary legal prerequisites.

Citing constitutional provisions, including Article 51 of the Constitution and Section 104 of the Elections Act 2017, the ECP underscored the criteria for eligibility to claim quotas for reserved seats. It emphasized that political parties must have representation in the National Assembly by winning seats to qualify for the allocation of reserved seats through proportional representation.

In light of these legal provisions, the ECP concluded that the SIC’s petition lacked merit and upheld pleas against the allocation of reserved seats to the council. The commission directed the calculation of reserved seat quotas based on the proportional representation process of political parties.

However, ECP member Babar Hassan Bharwana expressed partial disagreement with the bench’s decision. While he concurred with the rejection of reserved seats for the SIC due to procedural lapses, Bharwana advocated for the retention of vacant seats until any constitutional amendments are made by Parliament.

The ECP’s ruling has significant implications for political representation and the allocation of reserved seats in Pakistan’s legislative bodies. As the country navigates through evolving political dynamics, the decision underscores the importance of adherence to constitutional provisions and electoral regulations.