The ECP has reserved the ruling in Omar Ayub’s election lawsuit.

ISLAMABAD – The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has deferred its decision in the case challenging the election of National Assembly Opposition Leader Omar Ayub, following concluding arguments from both parties.

During the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel, representing Babar Nawaz, claimed that he was not seeking re-election, but rather a recount owing to alleged irregularities. He alleged that thousands of fraudulent ballots were cast and that the results were improperly combined.

In response, an ECP member, Babar Bharwana, questioned the case’s legal footing, asking if there were any precedents for the ECP annulling an election without tribunal procedures.

He pointed out that the reasons should have been brought before the Returning Officer (RO), but the petitioner did not show.

The petitioner’s counsel emphasized that 11,500 ballots were rejected and over 362,000 votes were allegedly cast in 540 minutes—an average of one vote every 2 minutes and 15 seconds—which he deemed impossible.

Omar Ayub’s counsel countered by stating that Babar Nawaz had accepted defeat on social media and that the PML-N candidate had publicly congratulated Omar Ayub on his victory. He said that no substantive proof of rigging was presented.

Following the arguments, the ECP reserved a ruling on the issue.