Punjab Election Tribunals Case: LHC's decision annulled, ECP's appeal accepted

Islamabad: The Supreme Court pronounced its verdict on the appeal filed regarding the Election Tribunals in Punjab.

A five-member bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa, completed the hearing of the case and reserved the decision which the court pronounced this morning.

Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa read out the decision, allowing the appeal of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) regarding the Election Tribunals in Punjab and annulled the decision of the Lahore High Court (LHC).

The decision of the court was announced with a majority of 5-0, in which no judge opposed the decision. However, the Chief Justice said that there is an additional note from Justice Jamal Mandukhel and Justice Aqeel Abbasi.

It has been stated in the court decision that a cautious attitude should be adopted when the conflict is between the constitutional institutions. The decision of the LHC cannot be presented in any forum as a judicial precedent. The High Court judge did not consider the non-meeting of the Chief ECP and the Chief Justice, if they had done so, such a decision would not have been taken.

The decision added that the ECP pleaded that the constitution of election tribunals is its authority. The Election Commission believed that the High Court could not practice the powers of the ECP.

It is pertinent to note that on June 12, the LHC had rejected the request for the appointment of four more judges for the election tribunals in Punjab. On which the ECP had approached the Supreme Court.