The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday disqualified and de-notified Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MNA Abdul Latif Chitrali following his conviction in a case related to the May 9, 2023 riots.
A five-member bench of the commission, headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, heard a reference, a representation and a complaint to de-seat Chitrali from NA-1 after his conviction by an Anti-Terrorism Court on May 30. The ruling had found Chitrali guilty of arson, violence and attacking law enforcement personnel during the riots.
In its ruling, the ECP noted the judgment of the trial court remained in place, convicting and sentencing him to 10 years’ imprisonment.
“Deriving wisdom from the referred judgement wherein it has been held that where there is a conviction recorded by a competent court against a person who is a member of the Parliament which has attained finality, the role and function of the Election Commission is confined to issuing notification of disqualification of the concerned member on the basis of the verdict of the Court,” it said, referring to a judgment reported in PLD 2012 Sc 774 “M. Azher Siddique versus Federation of Pakistan and others.”
According to the order, Chitrali has become disqualified under Article 63(1)(h) of the Constitution on account of his conviction by a court of competent jurisdiction. He is accordingly de-notified and his seat in the National Assembly declared vacant.
Chitali maintains he was wrongfully convicted and vowed to challenge the decision in the relevant high court.