ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Tuesday issued notice to Attorney General Suleman Aslam Butt in a case filed by Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan regarding alleged rigging in four National Assembly seats during May 11 polls.

A three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani, also sought written reply from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) asking the ratio of federal and provincial employees, posted during the course of general elections 2013.

The cricketer-turned-politician had requested the court to order recounting and scrutiny of thumb impressions in four constituencies, including NA-110 Sialkot from where Minister for Defence and Water and Power Khawaja Mohammad Asif got elected and NA-122 Lahore from where National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq won the election.

The other two constituencies are NA-125 Lahore won by Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafiq and NA-154 Lodhran bagged by Siddiq Khan Baloch.

During the course of proceeding, the Election Tribunal submitted a report before the apex court over the latter two constituencies.

The report stated that no witnesses or evidence was presented before the ET to prove the alleged rigging, therefore, the process of thumb verification was still awaited.

Meanwhile, the chief justice asked Secretary ECP Ishtiaq Ahmed whether the electoral staff functioning during the general elections were appointed following the rules or not.

The ECP secretary apprised the bench that after following due process of law and its delegated powers, the election commission appointed more provincial employees as available federal employees were less in numbers.

Chief Justice Jillani asked him that reply should be in written and satisfactory, then court would examine transparency of the matter.

Later, while directing the ECP to submit a report regarding the number of federal and provincial employees in the electoral staff, the court adjourned further hearing of the case till first week of March.