ISLAMABAD: A petition against the appointment of two members of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has been filed in the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

The petitioner Jahangir Jadoon advocate challenged the notification of appointment of Abdul Ghaffar Soomro and retired Justice Shakeel Baloch as members of the ECP.

According to the petition, President Dr Arif Alvi invoked his discretionary powers to appoint both the members while bypassing mandatory consultation of the prime minister and leader of the opposition in the National Assembly.

Subsequently, the petitioner requested the court to set aside the notification issued on August 22.

The petitioner cited secretary to the president, principal secretary to the prime minister, Chief Election Commissioner, ministry for law and justice and both the member-designate as respondents.

The CEC retired Justice Sardar Mohammad Raza Khan has already declined to administer oath to Soomro and Baloch.

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2019