The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) will take up a constitutional petition today moved by Tehreek-e-Minhajul Quran chief Dr Tahir ul Qadri, seeking reconstitution of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and comprising Justice Gulzar Ahmed and Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed will take up TMQ’s chief plea.The Supreme Court last week issued notices to all the respondents including Attorney General of Pakistan Irfan Qadir and fixed 11th Feb as hearing date of the case.

In his petition, Qadri called for fresh appointments of the Chief Election Commissioner and the four members of the ECP. He pleaded that their appointments were “not in accordance with the provisions of Articles 213 and 218 of the Constitution, hence all these appointments are void ab initio.”

He prayed to the apex court to direct the Federation of Pakistan to appoint the CEC and ECP members immediately in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 213(2) (a) and 218(2) (a) and (b) of the Constitution of Pakistan so that the forthcoming election might not be delayed on any pretext and conducted, fairly and in accordance with law.