The Supreme Court of Pakistan has announced that it will hear the plea of former president Pervez Musharraf regarding the rejection of his nomination papers for the 2013 general elections. This hearing comes five months after Musharraf’s death.
The three-judge bench, comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Ayesha A. Malik, and Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi, will preside over the case on Monday, July 17.
During the 2013 general elections, Musharraf’s nomination papers for the National Assembly constituency NA-139 in Kasur were rejected by the returning officer of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). The rejection came after Advocate Javed Kasuri, Musharraf’s opponent, raised six objections against his nomination papers.
One of the objections was based on the argument that Musharraf did not meet the eligibility criteria outlined in Article 62 and 63 of the Constitution. These articles specify the qualifications and disqualifications for a candidate aspiring to become a member of the National Assembly.
Consequently, the returning officer deemed Musharraf ineligible to contest the elections from the NA-139 seat.
Following this decision, the ECP barred Musharraf from participating in the elections in Kasur due to multiple court cases filed against him for violating the country’s Constitution on several occasions.
In response, Musharraf approached the Supreme Court and challenged the rejection of his nomination papers by the returning officer.
The upcoming hearing on July 17 will provide an opportunity for Musharraf’s legal team to present their case and argue for the acceptance of his nomination papers, despite his passing away five months ago.
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It is essential to note that the Supreme Court’s decision in this matter could have significant implications for the electoral process and the interpretation of constitutional provisions related to the eligibility of candidates for public office.
As the hearing approaches, the legal community and the public at large will be closely observing the proceedings, awaiting the Supreme Court’s verdict on Musharraf’s 2013 poll plea. The outcome of this case will undoubtedly contribute to the ongoing discourse surrounding the country’s electoral system and the principles governing the eligibility of candidates.
