Amended Election Act overrides court ruling on reserved seats: NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq

The Speaker of the National Assembly, Ayaz Sadiq, has formally contested the Supreme Court’s ruling regarding reserved seats. He argues that recent amendments to the Election Act make the court's decision no longer applicable. This challenge highlights ongoing tensions around electoral laws and their interpretation.

In a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner, Speaker Ayaz Sadiq stressed that recent amendments to the Election Act mean the Supreme Court's directive regarding independent candidates cannot be enforced. He noted that Parliament amended the law on August 7, 2024, specifically prohibiting independent candidates who join political parties after elections from changing their affiliation.

This clarification follows the Supreme Court's earlier ruling that allowed such candidates to switch parties post-election. Sadiq’s letter emphasizes the need for the Election Commission to adhere to the updated legislation instead of the court's ruling.