A three-member bench of the Supreme Court would take up a petition pleading the court to declare the February 8 general elections null and void on February 19.

The bench comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, Justice Muhammad Mazhar Ali, and Justice Musarrat Hilali would hear the case, according to the cause list.

Earlier this week, a private petition was filed in the apex court to declare the polls nullified due to alleged violations of democratic norms and electoral integrity.

It was filed by an individual named Ali Khan three days after tens of millions of people went to polling stations to election a new government.

Provisional results by the Election Commission of Pakistan showed that independent candidates secured a maximum number of National Assembly seats.

The PTI, some religio-political parties, and nationalist parties in Balochistan have been protesting against the polls which they claim were rigged. But the government has maintained that it was fair and cited the victory of Imran Khan’s party backed candidates as proof of electoral transparency.

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar also shunned the concerns raised by the Western countries and the US Congressman over reports of intimidation and voter suppression.

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The petition urged the court to order new elections within 30 days to be held under the direct supervision and oversight of the judiciary “to ensure fairness, transparency and accountability”.

It also sought a stay order to stop the formation of a new government till the case was decided and called for an investigation into the alleged pre-poll rigging.

The petitioner demanded that those responsible for undermining the democratic foundations of the nation should be held accountable.