ECP approves reserved seats allocation in KP Assembly; PML-N, JUI-F to toss for minority seat

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Tuesday issued its much-anticipated decision regarding the distribution of reserved seats in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, offering a significant win to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

The Commission accepted PML-N’s plea and recalculated the party’s general seats to seven after including an independent candidate, Malik Tariq Awan, who joined the party within the constitutionally defined three-day window. This recalculation has entitled the PML-N to an additional reserved seat.

As per the ECP's decision, PML-N and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), each having secured seven general seats, will now draw lots to determine who receives the final minority seat in the provincial assembly.

In a similar fashion, Awami National Party (ANP) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Parliamentarians (PTIP) will also undergo a toss for the 26th reserved seat for women.

The revised allocation now stands as follows: PML-N and JUI-F will each receive nine reserved seats, Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPP-P) will receive five, while both PTIP and ANP have been awarded one additional reserved seat each. This distribution reflects the Commission’s recalculated quota based on the updated tally of general seats won by each party, taking into account independent members who joined a party within the constitutional limit.

The ECP said that reserved seats must be calculated on the basis of general seats won by a party by February 22, 2024. The Commission reiterated that recalculations based on subsequent by-elections or tribunal decisions would create endless administrative chaos, a stance that led to the rejection of petitions filed by PTIP and ANP.

PML-N had taken its case to the Peshawar High Court, which had directed the ECP to provide a hearing and decide the matter in accordance with the law. After conducting extensive proceedings involving multiple parties, the ECP concluded that Malik Tariq Awan’s timely joining of PML-N legally increased the party’s general seats from six to seven — strengthening its claim for additional reserved seats.

The Commission's order mandates all provincial governments to adhere to this revised allocation and delay oath-taking on the contested seats until the tosses are conducted and final allocations are completed. The detailed ruling was announced by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja and the full bench on July 15, 2025.