ISLAMABAD: The Free and Fair Election Network (Fafen) reported on Sunday that election tribunals have made decisions on only 30% of the total election petitions, leaving 70% unresolved. According to Fafen’s latest report, tribunals across the country have taken action on 112 out of 368 election petitions filed, with 11 decisions announced in January 2025 alone. However, all 11 petitions were dismissed.
The report reveals that tribunals in different provinces have made varying levels of progress. Tribunals in Balochistan have resolved 41 out of 51 petitions, while those in Punjab have decided on 45 out of 192 petitions. In Sindh, 17 out of 83 petitions have been resolved, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa tribunals have decided on nine out of 42 petitions.
In terms of representation, the tribunal decisions involved a mix of independent candidates, those supported by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), and the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP). Of the 11 decisions made, six involved independent candidates backed by PTI, four from PML-N, and one from IPP.
The report also highlights a positive trend in the speed of decision-making in Punjab, which saw a significant improvement in resolving election petitions following legal challenges.
Regarding national and provincial assembly seats, the tribunals have made decisions on 25 out of 123 petitions concerning national assembly seats and 87 out of 248 petitions concerning provincial assembly seats. The Supreme Court has received 38 appeals related to these decisions, including 24 from Balochistan, 10 from Punjab, and four from Sindh.
So far, the Supreme Court has ruled on three appeals, accepting one and rejecting two. The election tribunals have dismissed 108 of the 112 petitions they reviewed, with three petitions accepted. Additionally, one petition was dismissed due to the death of the petitioner, and a re-polling was ordered for three seats in the Balochistan Assembly.
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With 70% of petitions still unresolved, Fafen continues to monitor the progress of election tribunal decisions and the ongoing legal challenges across the country.
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