ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Chaudhry has formed a three-member bench, headed by him, to take up a petition filed by Dr Tahirul Qadri for reconstitution of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
The bench will take up the petition on Monday (today). The court has already issued notices to the federal government, the ECP and other respondents. The court is likely to seek record from the Parliamentary Committee of the National Assembly about the appointment of members of the ECP as well as federation’s stance over the matter as it starts the hearing. Both major players in country’s politics – PPP and PML-N – will defend the appointment of the chief election commissioner and its members.
Meanwhile, Barrister Zafarullah of Watan Party moved a petition against the expected dissolution of the ECP in the SC’s Lahore Registry. The petitioner said that the chief election commissioner and members had been appointed under articles 213 and 218 of the constitution after consultation with all political parties, and they could not be removed on mere desire of some individual. He also said political parties, such as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and people like Dr Tahirul Qadri wanted to delay the elections. – PT
