The Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) did not submit its list for reserved seats before the 2018 general elections, nor did it contest the elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). Nonetheless, the Election Commission of Pakistan assigned a reserved seat for women to BAP, following the participation of independent candidates affiliated with the party.
The Election Commission has clarified that, according to Article 224(6) of the Constitution and Section 104(4) of the Election Act, BAP is permitted to submit its list for reserved seats even after the election. This provision also allows the commission to issue a new schedule as required.
These regulatory allowances raise questions about the consistency of legal interpretations when similar circumstances involve other political entities, such as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) or the Sunni Ittehad Council.