Islamabad:
On Friday, the Superior Court of Islamabad (IHC) lifted the stay order that had stopped the investigation of the Pakistan Electoral Commission (ECP) of alleged manipulations in NA-18 Haripur, ordering the electoral body to proceed with the case after listening to all interested parties.
When announcing the reserved verdict, the president of the Interim Supreme Court Sarfraz Dogar dismissed the request presented by the opposition leader in the National Assembly, Omar Ayub, who had tried to block the investigation of the ECP in the alleged irregularities.
With the now unemployed stay, the IHC has ordered the ECP to listen to both parties and make a decision in accordance with the law.
Omar Ayub had challenged the ECP procedures regarding the appearance of claims in his constituency and had obtained an order of suspension against the investigation. The former CJ Aamir Faooq had issued an order of stay in the action of the ECP.
During the last hearing, Omar Ayub’s lawyer said that the ECP has to decide on the request within 60 days, adding that after 60 days the commission procedure is illegal.
Omar Ayub had won the elections by a great margin, he said, adding that the opposite candidate also accepted the victory of Omar Ayub and even tweeted.
The ECP lawyer informed the Court that it was Omar Ayub who initially filed a complaint about manipulation on election day.
Later that night, when Ayub was declared the winner, the opposite candidate also filed a rigging complaint. When the commission began the procedures in both requests, Ayub approached the Superior Court through a writing request.
The lawyer argued that the commission had not yet issued any formal action or order, and asked the court to dismiss the petition. After listening to arguments from both parties, the court reserved its verdict on Ayub’s plea.
