Lahore High Court directs ECP to form more tribunals

The Lahore High Court has recently made a significant decision regarding the formation of additional election tribunals in Pakistan. This development comes after a petition filed by senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Salman Akram Raja was accepted by the court. The petition, which was heard by a single-judge LHC bench led by Justice Shahid Karim, called for the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to set up more tribunals to address election-related appeals.

During the hearing, Justice Shahid Karim emphasized that the ECP must wait for the chief justice to withdraw the list of names before establishing new tribunals. Raja's petition highlighted the delays in hearing appeals due to the lack of additional tribunals, despite their existence in other provinces. The petitioner specifically named the chief election commissioner as a party in the case, seeking legal intervention from the high court.

As a result of the court's decision, the ECP has been directed to create the requested additional election tribunals based on the instructions from LHC Chief Justice Malik Shehzad Ahmed Khan. This move aims to streamline the electoral process and ensure timely resolution of disputes related to elections across the country.

The Lahore High Court's ruling to establish more election tribunals underscores the importance of efficient and effective mechanisms for addressing electoral issues. By expanding the tribunal system, the ECP can enhance transparency and accountability in the electoral process, ultimately strengthening democracy in Pakistan.