Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) on Thursday withdrew its reference against the chief election commissioner (CEC) shortly after reaching the office of the registrar Supreme Court (SC), reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
The PTI leaders had to change their minds when they thought it would be better if they also included in the reference the changes allegedly introduced in the prohibited funding case verdict by the CEC and to highlight more legal aspects.
Earlier in day, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of former prime minister Imran Khan has moved a reference to Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) against Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja.
former ruling party sought removal of the CEC on charges of deliberate mismanagement. The reference pleads that the CEC was unable to deliver his constitutional duties in an appropriate manner.
PTI further pleaded with the SJC to order removal of the CEC on account of the “commission of continuous and deliberate misconduct”.
reference alleged that a delegation of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) met the CEC and four other members of the ECP in his office on July 29 to “pressure” him into announcing the verdict in prohibited funding case. It was a consequence of that meeting that the Election Commission decided to deliver the verdict on August 2.
Thus, the CEC allegedly violated his oath, the reference argued, contending that the ECP’s decision was illegal, unlawful and coram non judice. The PTI will challenge the order in court, the reference added.
The reference further argued the CEC had violated the ECP’s code of conduct and failed to fulfil his constitutional obligations. The code of conduct for judges of the superior judiciary applies to the chief election commissioner as well, the PTI said, adding a high court judge never discusses pending cases with any person or institution.
“The CEC must be removed from one of the most respectable and sacred constitutional posts,” the reference said.
The reference said the CEC had dismissed many PTI applications in the prohibited funding case, including a request to conduct a joint hearing in funding cases of PTI and other parties, the reference said.
Islamabad High Court provided relief to PTI, asking the ECP to extend an equal treatment to all political parties and to hear their cases with due diligence and to concluded these within a reasonable time, reference added.
