The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has officially reinstated 74 reserved seats in national and provincial assemblies following the Supreme Court’s verdict. The decision reverses the de-notifications issued in 2024 and ensures that reserved seats are constitutionally allocated according to electoral mandates.

Breakdown of Restored Reserved Seats

  • National Assembly:
    19 seats, including 16 for women and 3 for minorities, reinstated.
  • Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly:
    25 reserved seats restored.
  • Punjab Assembly:
    27 reserved seats reinstated.
  • Sindh Assembly:
    3 reserved seats reinstated.

These seats had been previously withdrawn in mid-2024 due to political realignments and were reinstated following a Supreme Court directive ensuring constitutional adherence.

Political and Legal Implications

  • Strengthened Ruling Coalition:
    The restoration of reserved seats boosts the ruling alliance’s position in the national and provincial legislatures, reinforcing a two-thirds majority in several assemblies.
  • Rejection of PTI Claims:
    The Supreme Court upheld that PTI-backed independent or affiliated candidates were not entitled to reserved seats due to lack of formal party recognition under election laws.
  • Balance of Power Shift:
    The reallocation of these seats to eligible parties reshapes the power dynamics across assemblies, paving the way for smoother legislative activity and reform implementation.

ECP’s Implementation Measures

  • Immediate Notification Issued:
    The ECP promptly issued formal notifications reinstating all 74 seats, updating the electoral rolls and informing returning members.
  • Assembly Updates in Process:
    Restored members are being processed for reentry into the respective assemblies, with rollbacks of disqualification notices now in effect.
  • Election Compliance Reinforced:
    The move underscores ECP’s renewed commitment to electoral rule enforcement and adherence to judicial verdicts.

Pending Legal Obstacles

  • Court-Ordered Suspensions:
    While the national and provincial assemblies begin implementing the reentries, legal stays in regions like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have temporarily halted oath-taking ceremonies for some restored seats.
  • Further Hearings Expected:
    Ongoing petitions challenge some allocations, and further judicial clarifications are anticipated in coming weeks.

Broader Democratic Significance

  • Judicial Oversight Strengthened:
    The decision reinforces the role of the judiciary in safeguarding constitutional procedures and curbing administrative overreach.
  • Legislative Stability Ensured:
    A stable majority in the assemblies will likely ensure more consistent governance, reduce political deadlock, and enable legislative reform momentum.
  • Voter Mandate Protection:
    The reinstatement of reserved seats restores representational balance, honoring the original voter mandate and ensuring electoral fairness.