Farhatullah Babar calls for clarity on SC, ECP jurisdictions

Islamabad: PPP leader Farhatullah Babar on Wednesday called for a clear demarcation of authority between the Supreme Court and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

Babar expressed concern that, under the pretext of the May 9 events, political parties' freedom is being restricted, leading to the erosion of democracy. He urged the ECP to take notice of attempts to exploit these events for political advantages.

His remarks came during a consultative meeting focused on "Free and Fair Elections," organized by the Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT).

Babar also voiced skepticism about the upcoming elections, citing changes in the top leadership of the National Database & Registration Authority (Nadra) as a source of concern regarding the fairness of the polls. He questioned why the ECP did not initiate an inquiry into the RTS glitch during the previous elections.

Legal expert Shoaib Shaheen echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the need for a level playing field involving the judiciary, state institutions, and political groups in the run-up to the elections.

Shaheen also raised questions about the reappearance of previously missing PTI leaders in the media, specifically referring to Usman Dar's recent interview on a local private TV after he had gone missing following the May 9 riots.

He stressed the crucial role of the ECP in ensuring the conduct of fair elections in the country.