The Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) on Monday dismissed a complaint filed by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) targeting the chief election commissioner (CEC). An official communication conveyed the decision to the former ruling party, marking the end of the petition process.
The complaint was lodged by former PTI secretary general Omar Ayub Khan, who sought the removal of the CEC on grounds of alleged violations of constitutional duties related to the conduct of the February 8 general elections. The SJC’s response, sent to PTI on May 21, confirmed that the matter had been addressed during its meeting on February 11.
During this session, the council thoroughly examined the complaint alongside the supporting arguments and evidence presented. After careful consideration, the SJC decided to dismiss the petition against the CEC, formally rejecting the allegations made by PTI.
This decision follows an earlier petition submitted by PTI in July 2024. In that petition, the party had sought removal not only of CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja but also four other members of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). The petition accused the ECP of breaching constitutional obligations in managing the February 8 elections.
Filed under Article 209(5) and (6) of the Constitution by Omar Ayub Khan, who was then the opposition leader in the National Assembly, the complaint claimed the ECP failed to ensure transparency during the elections. Notably, PTI alleged the Election Commission violated Article 189 by ignoring Supreme Court rulings that mandated elections be held within the prescribed constitutional timeframe.
Furthermore, the party accused the ECP of bias against former prime minister Imran Khan. They cited instances such as his de-seating from a National Assembly seat, disqualification from contesting elections for five years, involvement in criminal cases, and removal from party leadership roles as evidence of partiality.
PTI also argued that the ECP twice denied it its rightful share of reserved seats. The party contended that the allocation of these seats after the 2024 general elections to other political groups, instead of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), was unconstitutional and unlawful.
