Islamabad (Web Desk): The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Friday moved the Supreme Court (SC) against the Lahore High Court’s (LHC) verdict to recount votes for Punjab chief minister (CM) election held on April 16.
The PTI has sought an immediate hearing on the plea, requesting the top court to set aside LHC verdict by declaring it illegal and unconstitutional.
It has also been requested in the petition that the court suspend the process of recounting till a decision on this plea.
On Thursday, the LHC had passed the order while hearing the PTI and the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid's (PML-Q) pleas against Punjab CM Hamza Shehbaz's election and oath-taking.
As per the court order, if the required majority for Hamza, which is 186 votes in the 371-member strong house, to stay the CM is not secured, the election will be held again under Article 130(4), unless another candidate has majority votes.
“We could, possibly direct fresh election after declaring the election as unlawful but it would nullify the direction by the apex court to the state functionaries for the conduct of election in accordance with the Constitution and the decision by learned Division Bench of this Court, appointing Deputy Speaker as presiding officer and directing for the conduct of the election on 16th April 2022," the LHC verdict stated.
It further said that the court cannot quash the notification issued by the presiding officer as well.
According to Article 130(4), in the second round of voting, a member will not require 186 votes but simply needs a majority of those "present and voting" to be elected the chief minister.
A session of the Punjab Assembly (PA) has been convened today at 4pm in accordance with the court's directives.