The Supreme Court has fixed a petition seeking to declare the Feb 8 general elections null and void for hearing. A three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa and comprising Justices Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Mussarat Hilali, will take up the plea on February 19 (Monday).

Filed by a citizen named Ali Khan, the petition urges the court to order new elections within 30 days to be held under the direct supervision and oversight of the judiciary “to ensure fairness, transparency and accountability”. It also seeks a stay order to stop the formation of a new government till the case is decided.

The Election Commission of Pakistan and the federal government have been made respondents in the case.