‘Misrepresentation of SC orders, rigging’: SJC moved for CEC, 4 ECP members’ removal

ISLAMABAD: A complaint was filed in the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) seeking removal of the chief election commissioner (CEC) along with five other Members of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for ‘rigging’ the general elections held on February 8, 2024.

The joint complaint was filed by Pakistan Tehreek Insaf (PTI) Sindh chapter President Haleem Adil Sheikh, retired judge of Islamabad High Court Justice Noor ul Haq Qurashi and Sindh MPA Muhammad Shabbir under Article 209(5) and (6) of the Constitution.

Filed through Barrister Ali Tahir, the complainants sought removal of CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja and four ECP members on a series of serious allegations including pre-poll, poll day, and post-poll rigging, as well as the malicious misrepresentation of the Supreme Court orders.

They submitted that the respondents have wrongfully declared candidates from the complainant's party as independents in the elections violating the spirit of the Constitution and the Supreme Court's orders, and undermining democracy in the country which they are bound to uphold.

Following the Supreme Court's verdict on petitions related to reserved seats, the complainants, sought the immediate accountability of the respondent.

They submitted that the ECP attempted to undermine the PTI mandate, but the Supreme Court's ruling had exposed unconstitutional and illegal activities of the election commissioners accounting to gross misconduct.

They contended that according to Article 224 of the Constitution, general election must take place within 60 days of an assembly completing its term, or within 90 days if an assembly is dissolved prematurely.

“This constitutional requirement was neither met for the National Assembly nor the provincial assemblies by the respondent election commissioners, and as such they have breached their oaths to abide by the Constitution and law,” the complainants maintained.