The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has challenged suspension of its ruling by the Peshawar High Court on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) election symbol bat.
The PHC previously reinstated the party’s symbol for the upcoming February 8 general election by suspending the ECP’s decision on the matter.
The ECP, in its decision the other day, declared the PTI’s intra-party polls unconstitutional and subsequently revoked its distinctive symbol.
In its review petition to the PHC, the ECP vehemently contested the PHC’s ruling, asserting that it contradicted both legal principles and the directives laid down by the Supreme Court.
The ECP argued that the constitution clearly granted the commission the authority to make factual determinations concerning matters raised in writ petitions.
A key point in the ECP’s argument is the assertion that the PHC’s powers were confined to its territorial jurisdiction, while the allocation of the PTI’s election symbol extends nationwide.
According to the ECP, the PHC’s order exceeded its territorial jurisdiction, making it legally questionable.
Stressing the national significance of the matter, the ECP urged the high court to promptly convene a special bench to hear its review petition.
The commission emphasized that the resolution of this issue directly impacts the national interest, making a swift resolution imperative.
The PML-N, while not directly involved in the legal proceedings, voiced disagreement with the court’s decision to restore the PTI’s election symbol.
They accused the court of undermining the ECP’s authority and even questioned the impartiality of the high court’s judge who issued the order, alleging familial ties to candidates contesting on the PTI’s tickets.
