ECP still undecided on SC verdict

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has decided to continue its deliberations today (Wednesday) on the detailed verdict of Supreme Court on reserved seats, as it could not take a decision on Tuesday.

Arranging a huddle shortly after the apex court judgement a day earlier, the ECP on the second day on Tuesday took briefing from legal experts on the detailed decision.

It was learnt that the meeting discussed the apex court verdict, related law amendments and the letters received from the National and Punjab Assemblies’ speakers.

The meeting contended that the Supreme Court judgement had rendered the Elections Act 2017 ineffective, leaving the electoral body clueless about how to function now, sources said.

Separately, the ECP gave time to the lawyers of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf till Tuesday next for reply in relation to the petition filed by local PMLN MNAs, seeking a change of election tribunal.

A four-member ECP bench, headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, heard the case related to the change of Election Tribunal during which lawyers of petitioners appeared before the bench.

During the hearing, PTI’s lawyers sought time to submit their reply. However, the CEC rejected the request for two weeks and gave them till Tuesday to submit their reply.