The Supreme Court has begun hearing a petition seeking the February 8 general elections to be declared void and null due to alleged violations of democratic norms and electoral integrity.

Filed by an individual named Ali Khan, the plea had urged 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”.

A three-member bench comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Musarrat Hilali is hearing the petition.

During the previous hearing, the SC had described the filing of the petition and then trying to withdraw the same as something which amounts to abuse of the process of the court.

Today, petitioner Ali again failed to appear before the court.