The Supreme Court has ordered fresh elections in Balochistan’s PB-50 constituency of Qila Abdullah, declaring “null and void” the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) order for re-polling in only six polling stations.

A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa heard the case today.

ANP leader Zamrud Khan’s win in the Feb 8 elections was challenged by PML-N leader Malik Nawaz in the ECP. Subsequently, Zamrud filed a plea against the electoral watchdog’s decision in the top court.

During the hearing today, the CJP cautioned against involving the court in election-related matters, pointing out that appeals should be filed in tribunals.

“The court cannot hear 400 election cases,” CJP Isa remarked. “If both parties are satisfied, they can conduct re-polling across the entire constituency.”

The court ordered re-polling in the constituency after all the parties agreed to it.