ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday questioned the Supreme Court’s explanation regarding reserved seats. Against the Supreme Court’s clarification, the ECP filed a review petition. On 14 September, an eight-judge bench of the apex court took up the ECP’s petition, saying that its request for clarification was merely a “delay tactic”. “The ECP is not responsible for the delay in complying with the SC order,” the Election Commission said in its review motion. The ECP said he had moved the SC on July 25 to clarify the apex court’s July 25 order. However, the Supreme Court issued a brief clarifying order on September 14. Parliament has also passed legislation on the subject, the ECP said. The ECP pleaded that the SC must review its order passed on September 14. The Supreme Court had earlier said that the Election Commission’s March 1 decision was unconstitutional and the reserved seats should go to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. The Supreme Court gave a detailed judgment on reserved seats a few days ago. The verdict was written by Justice Mansoor Ali Shah. The Supreme Court overturned the March 1 decision of the Peshawar High Court and the ECP. According to the written decision, the decision of the ECP does not have a legal nature. “This decision is contrary to the constitution,” decided the ÚS. In a detailed judgment, the apex court ruled that the PTI is a political party that contested the February 8 elections and won seats in the national and provincial assemblies. The reserved seats should be given to PTI, the court ruled. “The PTI is entitled to the reserved seats in the National Assembly,” the apex court ruled, directing the ECP to notify the winning PTI candidates.
