ECP Approves Transfer of Election Petitions for PML-N MNAs

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has recently made a significant decision regarding the transfer of election petitions for three MNAs from the ruling party, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). This move came after the MNAs expressed their lack of confidence in the current election tribunal and requested a transfer of their cases to a different tribunal. The ECP, under the leadership of Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, has sided with PML-N's Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, Anjum Aqeel, and Raja Khurram Nawaz, citing that the current tribunal, led by Justice Tariq Mahmood Jahangiri of the Islamabad High Court, had exceeded its legal jurisdiction.

The ECP highlighted that the PTI-backed independent candidates who contested the election results for three National Assembly seats in the capital did so after the legally prescribed time limit. According to the ECP bench, the law requires election petitions to be filed within 45 days of the notification of the returned case, rendering the petitions by the PTI-backed candidates time-barred.

In response to objections raised by the PTI-backed candidates regarding ECP's jurisdiction, the ECP bench clarified that the commission holds the authority to transfer election petitions between tribunals at any stage, as specified in Section 151 of the ECP Act, 2017. The bench also acknowledged its respect for the presiding officer of the tribunal in question but identified certain legal irregularities that needed rectification to ensure justice.

The ECP bench emphasized the importance of adhering to legal procedures and timelines, emphasizing that any election petition not filed within the specified period under the Elections Act, 2017 should be summarily rejected. It underscored the significance of following due process to protect the legal rights of all parties involved.

The recent decision by the Election Commission of Pakistan to approve the transfer of election petitions for PML-N MNAs reflects the commission's commitment to upholding legal standards and ensuring fairness in the electoral process. By emphasizing the importance of timely filing of election petitions and the authority to transfer cases between tribunals, the ECP aims to maintain transparency and uphold the rights of all parties involved. This development underscores the significance of following legal procedures to safeguard the integrity of the electoral system in Pakistan.