ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday appointed election tribunals in the southwestern Balochistan and the southern Sindh provinces for the trail and disposal of election petitions, Pakistani state media reported.
The Feb. 8 polls were marred by a mobile service shutdown and unusually delayed results, leading to accusations that the vote was rigged and drawing concern from rights groups and foreign governments.
Several political parties, including former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and candidates have since held protests and challenged many of the election results.
To address these petitions, the ECP appointed tribunals on the recommendations of chief justices of the Balochistan and Sindh high courts, the state-run Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.
“The tribunals will address the petitions pertaining to National and Provincial Assembly constituencies for general elections and subsequent by-elections,” the report read.
The ECP appointed Justice Muhammad Karim Khan Agha and Justice Adnan Iqbal Chaudhry of the Sindh High Court as election tribunals for Karachi Division, Justice Muhammad Iqbal Kalhoro for Sukkur and Shaheed Benazirabad Division, Justice Amjad Ali Sahito for Mirpur Khas and Hyderabad Divisions, and Justice Muhammad Saleem Jessar for Larkana Division, according to the report.
Similarly, Justice Abdullah Baloch, Justice Rozi Khan Barrech and Justice Muhammad Aamir Nawaz Rana of the Balochistan High Court were appointed election tribunals for the province.
Last week’s elections did not return a clear majority for anyone, but independent candidates, most loyal to Khan, won 101 out of 265 parliamentary seats, making them the largest group.
Three-time former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s party bagged 75 seats, while former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari-led group won 54 seats. However, Khan’s PTI has ruled out alliances with other major political parties.
