Relief for Balochistan Assembly speaker: SC sets aside decision, refers notification back to ECP

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court Thursday set aside the Election Commission’s decision to suspend the notification of success of Balochistan Assembly Speaker Abdul Khaliq Achakzai and sent the matter back to the commission for an appropriate decision.

A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan, heard the appeals against the Election Commission’s decision ordering re-poll in 12 polling stations of PB-51 Chaman.

The notification was suspended and referred back to the commission with the consent of all the parties. The court held that the Election Commission will reconsider the matter after hearing all the candidates and decide the matter within 10 days.

The counsel for the Balochistan Assembly speaker pointed out legal flaws in the decision of the Election Commission and requested that the decision be annulled.

Justice Amin asked under which regulation the Election Commission had ordered re-election at 12 polling stations. Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar observed that the Election Commission looked at 12 polling stations but ignored the others.

Director General (Legal) of the Election Commission submitted that the Election Commission only allowed the 12 polling stations where a high turnout was pointed out.

Meanwhile, on the court’s suggestion, all the parties agreed that the Election Commission should re-examine the matter and take a decision after hearing all the parties.