The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday disqualified Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Ijaz Chaudhry, Opposition Leader in the Punjab Assembly Malik Ahmed Khan Bhachar and MNA Ahmed Chattha over their conviction in the May 9 riot cases.

A formal notification has been issued by the EC, and their seats have been declared vacant.

The Election Commission, in a notification disqualifying Senator Ijaz Chaudhry, said that an anti-terrorism court has found Ijaz Chaudhry guilty and sentenced him to 10 years in prison.

As a result, Ijaz Chaudhry has become disqualified from being a member of the Senate under Article 63(1)(H) of the Constitution, the notification added.

The Election Commission also disqualified PTI Member of National Assembly from NA-66 Wazirabad Ahmed Chattha, and Opposition Leader in the Punjab Assembly Malik Ahmed Khan Bhachar, who was elected from PP-87 Mianwali.

According to the Election Commission, a disqualification notification of both members has been issued following the decision of the anti-terrorism court.

According to the notification, the anti-terrorism court found Ahmed Chattha and Malik Ahmed Khan Bhachar guilty and sentenced them to 10 years in prison.

Following the EC notification, the three seats have now become vacant, and a by-election will be held on these seats.

It should be noted that anti-terrorism courts recently handed down 10-year prison sentences to PTI leaders involved in the May 9 incidents.