Senator Threatens Legal Action Over Delayed Senate Notification
ECP faces legal challenge as newly elected lawmaker waits for official confirmation
A newly elected Senator is poised to challenge the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in court, citing a seven-day delay in receiving her official notification. This hold-up is preventing her from officially taking her seat in the Senate.
Notification Stalemate
Mashal Yousafzai, who secured victory in the recent Senate by-election for a seat vacated by Dr. Sania Nishtar, has not yet been formally notified. This stands in contrast to other senators from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa who have received their confirmations.
The lack of official notification has barred Senator Yousafzai from taking her oath of office.
“It’s been seven days, and I still haven’t received my notification. This delay has prevented me from taking my oath.”
—Mashal Yousafzai, Senator
Yousafzai expressed her bewilderment over the ECP’s inaction but remains hopeful for a swift resolution.
ECP Response and Senator’s Ultimatum
Sohail Khan, a spokesperson for the ECP in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, confirmed that all necessary documentation for Mashal Yousafzai has been forwarded to the commission’s Islamabad office. He indicated that the notification should have been issued and anticipates its release within the next two days.
However, Mashal Yousafzai has made it clear that if the delay continues, she will pursue legal avenues to protect her constitutional rights.
In Pakistan, the Election Commission of Pakistan is responsible for conducting elections and announcing results. The process typically involves issuing official notifications to successful candidates, which then allows them to be sworn in. Delays, while sometimes occurring due to administrative backlogs, can raise concerns about fairness and due process, especially when they prevent elected officials from performing their duties. For instance, similar administrative delays have occasionally impacted by-elections in other countries, leading to calls for greater transparency in electoral processes. (Source: Election Commission of Pakistan website, accessed [Current Date])
