ECP files review petition against SC decision on reserved seats

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has filed a review petition against the Supreme Court's (SC) decision on reserved seats.

According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, the ECP submitted the review petition in the apex court through Advocate Sajeel Swati.

In the plea, the ECP urged the Supreme Court to review its July 12 verdict and withdraw its decision regarding reserved seats.

The ECP insisted in its plea that the Commission did not interpret wrongly any court verdict.

Earlier, ECP sources said the Election Commission, being a constitutional body, will challenge the Supreme Court's decision of giving independent members 15 days to join a party, and will also address ambiguities in the Supreme Court's verdict as part of the review petition. 

The sources said the Constitution of Pakistan grants independent candidates three days to join the party, but the Supreme Court extended this to 15 days in its ruling. 

Merely writing PTI on the nomination papers does not make one a party candidate, so how can candidates who did not submit party tickets be considered PTI candidates by returning officers? the ECP sources said.

The sources added that the Election Commission had already approached the Supreme Court to clarify the authority over PTI's signatures.

The sources also said that the ECP has started scrutinising the affidavits and party affiliation forms of independent members, with a four-member committee headed by the Special Secretary conducting the scrutiny. 

The committee will review the nomination papers and affidavits of independent members and may summon them for verification if needed, the sources said.

Reporter: Usman Khan