The Islamabad High Court (IHC) issued a ruling on Tuesday, prohibiting new poll tribunals from adjudicating election petitions by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) until further notice, as reported by Pakistan-based Geo News.
This decision followed the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) approval of petitions by three PML-N lawmakers to transfer their cases to different election tribunals, where their election victories were challenged by opponents alleging vote rigging.
Chief Justice Aamer Farooq of the Islamabad High Court issued these directives while hearing petitions against the ordinance for amendments to the Election Act. Representatives from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed candidates and the ECP were present during the hearing.
During the proceedings, Justice Farooq expressed dissatisfaction with the ECP’s decision to change the election tribunals, questioning the grounds for such changes and emphasizing the need for procedural adherence.
The court criticized the ECP’s decision to transfer cases without challenging previous tribunal orders, emphasizing the importance of following due process and avoiding discrimination.
Furthermore, the judge raised concerns about the government’s decision to promulgate Election Act amendments via an ordinance and emphasized the need for legal clarity and adherence to established procedures.
After hearing arguments from all parties, the Islamabad High Court temporarily halted proceedings of the new election tribunals until the next hearing, as per Geo News.
The ECP’s verdict to transfer cases to other tribunals for hearing pending petitions against PML-N leaders’ election wins in three constituencies came after challenges from PTI-backed candidates citing “poll manipulation.”
This decision followed a reserved verdict by an ECP bench led by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja on pleas filed by PML-N lawmakers including Anjum Aqeel Khan, Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, and Khurram Shehzad Nawaz on June 7.
Amidst these legal maneuvers, the PML-N expressed a lack of confidence in the tribunals and sought the transfer of cases to alternative poll tribunals.