Pakistan SC to Hear Petition on Nullifying February 8 Elections

A three-judge bench of the Pakistan Supreme Court will hear a petition seeking to declare the February 8 general elections null and void on Monday, according to reports.

Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa will lead the bench, joined by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Mussarat Hilali. Ali Khan, a Pakistani citizen, has filed a petition urging the court to order fresh elections within 30 days.

The plea also calls for general elections under the supervision and oversight of the judiciary “to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability.”

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the federal government have been 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.

Pakistan held its general elections on February 8, with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-supported independent candidates securing 92 seats, the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) obtaining 75 seats, and the Pakistan Peoples Party securing 54 seats. Various political parties and losing candidates have raised allegations of fraud in the elections.

The Sindh High Court (SHC) directed the electoral watchdog to hear the complaints of all parties and make a decision before February 22 in accordance with the law. Furthermore, it mandated the election commission to scrutinize the records of applicants in Forms 45 and 47, with orders to rectify any irregularities found.

The court disposed of the petitions.

Following the general elections in Pakistan, widespread protests have erupted in Balochistan, Sindh, and other parts of the country against alleged rigging. Political parties, including the National Party, PPP, JUI, BAP, BNP-Mengal, PkMAP, and PkNAP, staged protest demonstrations, blocking major thoroughfares and district returning offices, and demanding recounts while challenging the declared outcomes in Balochistan.

Additionally, four political parties, including the BNP-M, PkMAP, and the Hazara Democratic Party (HDP), have announced joint protest demonstrations against alleged election rigging in the province. These political parties have also established a joint protest camp to exert pressure on the Election Commission of Pakistan to reconsider its results regarding their constituencies. Moreover, various political parties, including the Awami National Party, JUI, and some candidates, blocked the main highways linking Balochistan with Karachi, Sindh, Punjab, and other parts of the country.

According to reports, today, the capital police have enforced Section 133 in Islamabad, emphasizing that action will be taken against any illegal gatherings of people.