ISLAMABAD – The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is set to hear the important case regarding the distribution of reserved seats on July 14, as per its recently released cause list.
In preparation for the hearing, the ECP has issued formal notices to five major political parties. These include Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Parliamentarians (PTIP), Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians (PPPP), Awami National Party (ANP), and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F).
Moreover, the commission has also summoned 71 candidates from these parties to appear for the proceedings. These candidates are linked to the parties under review regarding their eligibility for reserved seats in the assemblies.
This case holds significant political weight, as the allocation of reserved seats can influence the balance of power, especially in closely contested assemblies. The reserved seats are typically designated for women and minorities based on party performance in general seats.
Previously, disputes have arisen over how these seats should be fairly distributed among factions and new splinter groups that emerged after the 2024 elections. The ECP aims to resolve these issues and ensure transparency in the seat allocation process.
The hearing is expected to shed light on party compliance with electoral laws and set a precedent for future seat distributions in the National and Provincial Assemblies.