Daily Times

The Supreme Court’s Constitutional Bench has rejected a petition seeking a rule that only candidates securing over 50% of votes in an election can be declared winners. The petitioner, Muhammad Akram, was also fined Rs. 20,000 for filing the case.

A seven-member bench, headed by Justice Aminuddin Khan, presided over the hearing. During the session, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar questioned the constitutional basis for requiring a 50% vote threshold, noting that election results are determined by the number of votes cast. He further asked, “What if voters choose not to vote?”

Justice Ayesha Malik asked which fundamental rights of the petitioner were impacted and which constitutional provisions were allegedly violated, emphasizing that law-making is the domain of Parliament, not the judiciary.

The petitioner contended that his plea is tied to all fundamental rights, claiming that Parliament dictates the direction of citizens’ lives. However, Justice Aminuddin Khan responded, “Parliament does not dictate life; it offers representation.”