ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court will take up next Monday a petition seeking a declaration that the general elections held on Feb 8 are null and void due to alleged flagrant violations of democratic norms and electoral integrity.

Headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa, a three-judge bench, comprising Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Mussarat Hilali, will hear Ali Khan’s petition, pleading for a stay on the formation of the newgovernment based on contested election results, pending the adjudication of this petition by the Supreme Court.

The petition

The petition also pleaded before the court to order the immediate holding of fresh elections within 30 days, under the direct supervision and oversight of the judiciary, to ensure fairness, transparency and accountability in the electoral process.

The petition pleaded that the court should order initiation of a thorough and impartial investigation into the acts of alleged pre-poll rigging, election fraud, and misconducts, holding accountable those responsible for undermining the democratic foundations of the nation.

The petitioner placed his utmost trust and confidence in the esteemed judiciary and implored upon the top court to uphold the principles of justice, equality, and democracy en­­shrined in the Constitution to redress the grievances of the Pakistani populace aggrieved by the subversion of their democratic rights.

Petitioner urges a stay on govt formation; seeks fresh elections within 30 days under judicial supervision

The petition argued that the Feb 8 general elections were allegedly marred by gross violations of democratic principles, including the denial of a level playing field to all political parties, particularly the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI).

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The imprisonment of Imran Khan, the founder chairman, and the most popular political leader of the nation, on fabricated charges, and the subsequent deprivation of PTI’s electoral symbol severely undermined the democratic process, the petition feared, adding that the run-up to the elections witnessed widespread pre-poll rigging, with PTI candidates facing numerous obstacles and restrictions in their campaign efforts.

The ban on rallies and public gatherings for PTI, along with the prohibition on campaigning and voter persuasion, deprived the party of its fundamental right to engage with the electorate and present its vision and policies, regretted the petition.

On the elections day, despite significant turnout of voters in support of PTI, the announcement of polling results was unnecessarily delayed by returning officers, raising serious concerns about the integrity and transparency of the electoral process, the petition argued.

The subsequent revelation of widespread rigging and manipulation, resulting in the fraudulent defeat of numerous PTI candidates, further undermines the credibility of the election outcomes.

The petition pleaded that the consolidation of power by political entities with a history of alleged misgovernance, corruption, and incompetence poses a grave threat to democratic governance and national stability.

Allowing the perpetrators of electoral malpractice to ascend to positions of authority not only undermines the will of the people but also jeopardises the future of Pakistan as a functioning democracy, the petition said.

Published in Dawn, February 17th, 2024