ISLAMABAD: A complaint was filed before the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) on Saturday seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja and four members of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
The complaint has been filed by Haleem Adil Sheikh, retired Justice Noorul Haq Qureshi and MPA Mohammad Shabbir through Barrister Ali Tahir stating that an inquiry be commenced and the complaint be disposed ofexpeditiously.
The complaint alleged that the July 12 order of the Supreme Court has held that the ECP used powers in violation of the Constitution with malice and made a skewed interpretation of the Jan 13 judgement of denying election symbol of ‘bat’ to the PTI.
Thus, ECP members misconducted themselves in law, the complaint stated, adding that voters had been deprived of the most fundamental right to participate in the governance of the state through their chosen representatives.
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According to the complaint, people were being governed allegedly by an “unelected government” in violation of the Constitution and their fundamental rights.
They were victims of the wrongful exercise of the public powers and reckless disregard for duties imposed under the Constitution and statutes upon the respondent ECP, it stated.
The complaint alleged that the CEC had taken oath under Article 214, read with the Third Schedule to the Constitution, but over 125 million registered voters were deprived of their right.
“When the transgressors and those responsible for wrongful exercise of public powers become unaccountable, it creates impunity for even the most serious infringement of the Constitution and the freedoms and rights of the people.
“Such impunity renders the Constitution unworkable and a farce,” the complaint said, adding such impunity for deprivation of constitutional rights and serious violations of the Constitution should be checked at all costs.
Published in Dawn, July 21st, 2024
