In the KP reserved seat allocation case, the ECP reserves verdict

In the case concerning the distribution of reserved seats in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) postponed rendering a decision on Monday.

The hearing was held before a five-member bench led by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja.

Attorneys from a number of political parties, including the PML-N, PPP, JUI-F, and ANP, showed up and made their cases.

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According to PPP attorney Nayyar Bukhari, the JUI-F and PML-N are the main parties involved in the debate over the allocation of reserved seats. “PPP has no dispute or involvement in the matter because the PML-N’s claim is not directed against PPP,” he said. The PML-N and the ECP are at odds over it.

According to the ANP’s lawyer, the party won one seat in the by-elections, and they believe that the distribution of reserved seats ought to take into account the circumstances that will arise after the election.

The CEC pointed out that the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) issue was still unresolved and that two rounds of notifications had been sent out regarding reserved seats.

The attorney for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Parliamentarians (PTI-P) made the case that general seats won should determine the distribution of reserved seats. There should be an equal number of general seats and reserved seats. He emphasised that the deadline is the most important consideration.

If a party’s number of seats dropped in the by-elections, member Sindh Nisar Durrani asked if reserved seats could be cut. In response, the PTI-P attorney stated that reserved seats are non-refundable.

Additionally, he voiced his concerns that two of their representatives were counted as one, even though PTI-P is entitled to two reserved seats according to the notifications.

The ECP held off on rendering a decision after hearing arguments from each side.