PTI-backed SIC not eligible for reserved seats, rules ECP

ISLAMABAD – In another blow to Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf, the Election Commission on Monday announced that it will not allocate reserved seats to Sunni Ittehad Council.

The poll body announced the split decision with a 4-1 majority. ECP said the Sunni Ittehad Council was not eligible to get reserved seats.

Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) was moved to allocate seats based on the inclusion of candidates backed by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in their party.

SIC Chairman Sahibzada Hamid Raza filed petition through a PTI representative, seeking the allotment of reserved seats. After hearing arguments, the ECP stated that the SIC could not claim reserved seats due to legal defects and failure to submit a party list for reserved seats as required by law.

The seats will now be allocated through proportional representation based on the seats won by political parties in the election.