Imran Khan’s party challenges ECP’s decision denying reserved seats, fearing marginalization in the national assembly

In a significant blow to Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has ruled against the party’s claim to allocate reserved seats in the national and provincial assemblies. This decision marks yet another hurdle for PTI, already struggling after being forced to contest recent elections without its iconic bat symbol and instead, align with the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) to maintain a presence in the National Assembly.

The ECP’s 22-page judgment on Monday, with a 4-1 decision, highlighted the SIC’s failure to submit a party list for reserved candidates by the February 22 deadline, following the general elections on February 8. With 70 reserved seats in the National Assembly and an additional 149 across provincial assemblies, PTI’s inability to secure these positions could significantly weaken its parliamentary influence, risking a two-thirds majority for the ruling coalition in the 336-member National Assembly.

Senator Ali Zafar, representing PTI and a senior party lawyer, denounced the ECP’s ruling as “the last assault on the heart of democracy.” PTI has vowed to challenge the decision in higher courts, signalling the start of a potentially prolonged legal battle to reclaim its place in parliament.