ISLAMABAD: In January 2025, Pakistan’s Election Tribunals (ETs) resolved an additional 11 election petitions, bringing the total number of resolved petitions to 112, which constitutes approximately 30 percent of the total caseload. According to the Free and Fair Election Network’s (FAFEN) sixth update on the election disputes resolution process, the ETs have made progress in addressing the pending petitions, though challenges remain in specific regions.
Of the 11 petitions decided in January, nine were handled by three tribunals in Lahore, while the tribunals in Bahawalpur and Karachi each decided one petition. The majority of the petitions were filed by political parties including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), and Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP). However, all 11 petitions were dismissed, highlighting the ongoing challenges in resolving electoral disputes in the country.
The election dispute resolution process gained momentum towards the end of 2024, with roughly 70 petitions being decided, mostly by tribunals in Balochistan. However, the pace of decision-making slowed in January due to winter vacations observed by the Balochistan High Court, which lasted from December 26, 2024, to February 25, 2025. This break contributed to a temporary lull in proceedings, while petitions in Punjab, however, began to pick up pace after initial delays due to legal challenges over tribunal constitutionality.
FAFEN, which has been systematically tracking the 371 election petitions filed with 23 tribunals across Pakistan, reports notable regional differences in the resolution rates. The three tribunals in Balochistan have been the most efficient, resolving 41 out of 51 petitions, or 80 percent of their caseload. In contrast, the tribunals in Punjab, where nine tribunals are active, have only resolved 45 out of 192 petitions, representing 23 percent of the total petitions filed in the province. Sindh’s five tribunals have resolved 17 out of 83 petitions (20 percent), while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), with six tribunals, has resolved just nine out of 42 petitions (21 percent).
The pace of resolving disputes related to the National Assembly constituencies has been slower compared to those concerning provincial assemblies. To date, only 25 of the 123 petitions challenging National Assembly results have been resolved, with 12 in Punjab, seven in Balochistan, four in Sindh, and two in KP. On the other hand, a higher proportion of petitions related to provincial assemblies have been settled, with 87 out of 248 such petitions (35 percent) being resolved.
Despite some progress, many decisions remain under appeal. A total of 38 decisions from various tribunals, including 24 from Balochistan, 10 from Punjab, and four from Sindh, have been contested in the Supreme Court. Out of these, three appeals have been adjudicated: one was accepted and two were dismissed. The remaining cases are still awaiting a decision.
As of now, the breakdown of the 112 resolved petitions reveals that 108 have been dismissed, three accepted, and one abated due to the death of the petitioner. The reasons behind the dismissal of 22 petitions remain unclear due to the unavailability of judgment copies. The accepted petitions, all from Balochistan, led to orders for re-polling in specific polling areas, including PB-44 Quetta-VII, PB-45 Quetta-VIII, and PB-36 Kalat.
The resolution of these petitions is critical for ensuring electoral integrity and transparency in Pakistan’s political system. As the tribunals continue their work, the speed and fairness of their decisions will play a crucial role in fostering trust in the electoral process and maintaining public confidence in the country’s governance systems.