SC summons chief election commissioner, ECP members in Senate open ballot case today.

ISLAMABAD -- The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Monday summoned the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Dr. Sikandar Sultan Raja and members of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) today (Tuesday) along with a proposed scheme to curb corrupt practices in Senate elections.

A five-judge larger bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Gulzar Ahmed, in its order noted that there is a general perception that corrupt practices are rampant in Senate elections.

The court referred to Article 218 (3) of the Constitution wherein it is the duty of the ECP to curb corrupt practices in the elections.

Justice Ijazul Ahsan said that if there is credible evidence, then ECP may look into ballot papers in order to comply to Article 218 (3) of the Constitution.

He further asked the ECP's counsel, Sajeel Swati, whether the commission had disqualified any lawmaker who was involved in corrupt practices.

You should ask ECP about the electoral scheme in order to curb corrupt practices, Justice Umar Ata Bandial asked the Attorney General for Pakistan Barrister Khalid Jawed Khan. He asked whether the ECP is taking any action as now there is evidence of corrupt practices and a video has also surfaced.

The AGP said that in view of their statement on the presidential reference, it seems that the ECP is silent.

At the start of the hearing, Barrister Khalid Jawed Khan said, 'It is regrettable that our bar councils are supporting political parties. The Pakistan Bar Council and...