The election tribunals established by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) have failed to redress post-election disputes within the legally-stipulated deadline. A year after the 2013 elections, nearly 27% (109 out of 410) petitions are still awaiting decisions. Meanwhile,73% (301 out of 410) cases have been decided by the tribunals and the ECP (276 out of 385 by tribunals and 25 by ECP). The ECP constituted 14 tribunals across the country following the 2013 elections to redress election-related complaints of contesting candidates. The election results were officially notified on May 22, 2013, following which the candidates were given until July 6 (45 days) to submit their petitions. The ECP received a total of 409 petitions,while one petition was filed directly with the Lahore Tribunal.
The election tribunals established by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) have fallen behind the legally-stipulated deadline to dispose of petitions in 124 out of 126 pending cases. As of April 30, 2014, only 69% (284 out of 410) of the post-election petitions were decided by the election tribunals and ECP (259 out of 385 by the tribunals and 25 by ECP itself).
The election tribunals established by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to redress post-election disputes have failed to dispose of as many as 150 out of 156 petitions within the legally-stipulated deadline.As of March 31, 2014, only 62%(254 of 410) of the post-election petitions were decided by the tribunals and the ECP (229 out of 385 by 14 tribunals and 25 by ECP). The ECP constituted 14 tribunals across the country following the 2013 General Elections to redress election-related complaints of contesting candidates. The election results were officially notified on May 22, 2013, following which the candidates were given until July 6 (45 days) to submit their petitions. The ECP received a total of 409 petitions,while one petition was filed directly with the Lahore Tribunal.
The election tribunals established by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to redress post-election disputes have fallen behind the legally-stipulated deadline to dispose of petitions in 184 out of the 190 pending cases.As of February 28, 2014, only 54%(220 out of 410) of the post-election disputes were decided by the tribunals and the ECP (195 out of 385 by tribunals and 25 by ECP). Meanwhile, the tribunal in Dera Ismail Khan has become the first to dispose of all the 13 petitions referred by the ECP. Its presiding officer is now hearing some of the petitions filed with the Peshawar tribunal which have been transferred by the ECP.
FAFEN observed polling processes at a maximum of 38,274 polling stations and 31,337 polling booths spanning over 263 National Assembly constituencies as a part of its election day observations. The exercise yielded observations of a total 71,397 irregularities and violations in the day's proceedings. These observations were recorded on standardized observation checklists designed to document polling irregularities as well as significant events and incidents affecting the process.
The ECP constituted 14 tribunals across the country to redress election-related complaints of contesting candidates. For the first time in Pakistan’s electoral history, the judges heading these tribunals include retired eligible judges instead of serving high court judges (except for the tribunal in Quetta which is being headed by a serving judge of Balochistan High Court). Earlier, the existing workload of judges would restrict the proceedings of the tribunals and the cases would often continue for years. By appointing retired judges, the ECP has removed the existing workload from the tribunals’ schedules, making it easier to resolve the cases within 120 days stipulated by Section 67(1A) of the Representation of the People Act 1976. The day count starts when the tribunals receive petitions from the ECP.
FAFEN, the leading civil society network covering issues of election and governance, achieved its own landmark in implementing the largest citizen observation exercise to date. FAFEN observed 2013 general elections in Pakistan and compiled a detail report on National Assembly Election Results Analysis using Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT). The findings of the observation, both on-field and desk, are compiled in a series of reports covering all aspects of the 2013 National Assembly general elections. One of several, this report focuses on the election results and their historical and comparative significance at the constituency level.
Only forty percent (152 of 379) of the post-election petitions were decided by the election tribunals by December 31, 2013, with the tribunals falling behind the legally stipulated time of 120 days for the disposal of petitions in at least 181 cases. The election results were officially notified on May 22, 2013, after which the candidates had until July 6 (45 days) to submit petitions with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). There were 14 tribunals constituted across the country to redress election-related complaints by the contesting candidates. The commission received a total of 406 petitions.
Only One-fourth (95 of 373) post-election petitions have been decided by the Election Tribunals by October 31, 2013 with Election Tribunals falling behind the legally stipulated time of 120 days for the disposal of a petition in at least 18 cases. The election results were officially notified on May 22 after which the candidates had the time (45 days) until July 6 to submit petitions with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). There were 14 tribunals constituted across the country to redress election-related complaints by the contesting candidates. The commission received 406 petitions in all.
The election results were officially notified on May 22, meaning the candidates had until July 6 to submit petitions with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) constituted 14 tribunals (13 working) across the country to redress election related complaints of contesting candidates. The commission received 402 petitions in all, according to media reports. FAFEN has deployed 18 trained non-partisan lawyers to observe the proceedings in the tribunals set up by the ECP. By September 30, these tribunals had received and heard at least 339 petitions related to national and provincial assemblies. Many of the petitions filed with the ECP have been done so on multiple grounds and have sought more than one relief.
