Islamabad: The election petition process in Pakistan, as outlined in the Elections Act of 2017, offers a final appellate opportunity for parties dissatisfied with tribunal decisions, but only if they act swiftly. Parties have a strict 30-day period to appeal to the Supreme Court following a tribunal’s decision, marking the end of the appellate process for National, Provincial, and Senate seats.

According to Free and Fair Election Network, Section 155 of the Elections Act 2017 provides the framework for these appeals. It stipulates that any aggrieved party has the right to challenge an Election Tribunal’s decision by appealing to the Supreme Court within 30 days. This timeframe begins from the date of the tribunal’s decision, not when the party receives the formal written order or becomes aware of the reasoning behind it. The Supreme Court’s ruling on such appeals is conclusive, with no further recourse.

In contrast, for local government election petitions, the appeal process directs aggrieved parties to the relevant High Court, whose decision is also final. Legal practitioners must manage their dockets carefully to meet the Section 155 deadline, necessitating proactive monitoring of tribunal proceedings and prompt filing of appeals to ensure compliance with the time constraints.