Pakistan Supreme Court to Consider Nullification of February 8 Poll

The Pakistan Supreme Court is set to hear a petition seeking the nullification of the February 8 general elections, as reported by The Express Tribune. Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa will preside over the three-judge bench, which includes Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Mussarat Hilali.

The petitioner, Ali Khan, a Pakistani citizen, has requested the court to order fresh elections within 30 days. The plea also advocates for general elections under judicial supervision to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the federal government are named as respondents in the case.

Additionally, the petition seeks a stay order on the formation of the new government until the case is resolved. The general elections on February 8 saw the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supported independent candidates securing 92 seats, while the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) and the Pakistan Peoples Party obtained 75 and 54 seats respectively.

Numerous political parties and losing candidates have raised allegations of fraud in the elections, according to The Express Tribune. The Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed the electoral watchdog to address the complaints and make decisions by February 22. The court also instructed the election commission to review the records of the applicants in Forms 45 and 47, with orders to rectify any irregularities found.

In the aftermath of the general elections, protests have erupted in Balochistan, Sindh, and other parts of the country, with political parties demanding recounts and challenging declared outcomes. Various political parties, including the National Party, PPP, JUI, BAP, BNP-Mengal, PkMAP, and PkNAP, have staged protests, while four political parties, including the BNP-M, PkMAP, and the Hazara Democratic Party (HDP), have announced joint protest demonstrations against alleged election rigging.

Furthermore, these political parties have established a joint protest camp to pressure the Election Commission of Pakistan to reconsider results in their constituencies. Additionally, protests have led to blockades on main highways linking Balochistan with Karachi, Sindh, Punjab, and other parts of the country.

Today, the capital police have enforced Section 133 in Islamabad, emphasizing that action will be taken against any illegal gatherings.