Supreme Judicial Council has formally dismissed a complaint filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) against Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja. The council has informed the complainant, PTI central leader Omar Ayub, about the decision in writing.
According to a media report, the Supreme Judicial Council reviewed the complaint in detail during an important meeting. The complaint had been filed by Omar Ayub in his capacity as secretary general of PTI.
In the petition, Omar Ayub maintained that “alleged organised rigging” had taken place in the 2024 general elections. On that basis, he sought constitutional and legal proceedings against Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja. However, after reviewing all aspects of the matter, the council declared the PTI complaint inadmissible and dismissed it.
Tensions between PTI and Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja have existed for a long time. Even before the February 2024 general elections, PTI had levelled serious allegations of bias against the Election Commission. These included the withdrawal of the party’s electoral symbol, the “bat,” and the rejection of nomination papers of party leaders.
After the elections, PTI also questioned the credibility of the Election Commission over alleged changes in results and the “Form 47” controversy. During this period, Omar Ayub approached the Supreme Judicial Council, the only competent forum for reviewing complaints against members of the superior judiciary and certain constitutional officeholders, seeking the initiation of proceedings to remove the chief election commissioner from office.
The decision of the Supreme Judicial Council carries significant importance in the current political situation. The council’s move indicates that an officeholder heading a constitutional institution cannot be removed solely on the basis of political allegations or electoral disputes unless solid legal evidence is available.
