ECP approves PML-N MNA’s request to change election tribunal in Islamabad

ECP approves PML-N MNA’s request to change election tribunal in Islamabad

Islamabad (Web Desk): The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday approved the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) MNAs’ application to change their election tribunal in all three constituencies of Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT).

A four-member commission of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), led by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja, announced the verdict, which was reserved on Friday.

The elected MNAs of PML-N, including Anjum Aqeel Khan, Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry and Raja Khurram Nawaz, had filed separate petitions in the ECP requesting a change of their existing election tribunal.

On June 7, the ECP had reserved its verdict on the tribunal transfer case filed by the three Islamabad (MNAs) of ruling Pakistan Muslim PML-N).

A four-member commission, led by CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja, held a hearing on the request to change the Islamabad Election Tribunal.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) losing candidate advocate Shoaib Shaheen argued that the ECP’s June 4 decision had been challenged in the Islamabad High Court (IHC), where the hearing was ongoing and a decision had not yet been reached.

Shoaib Shaheen mentioned that his lawyers were presenting arguments in the IHC and that he would cite decisions related to the change of the election tribunal.

He stated that all the arguments presented by the petitioners were irrelevant.

Shaheen mentioned that the decision to transfer the tribunal could only be made in consultation with the relevant chief justice.

He noted that the High Court Tribunal judges were accused of bias but stressed that PTI had no personal relationship or enmity with the judges.

Shoaib Shaheen alleged that the tribunal favoured the PML-N MNAs.

After hearing the arguments, the ECP had reserved its decision on the tribunal transfer case.