ECP didn’t announce PA’s polls date, LHC sought report from ECP regarding elections

Islamabad: (Staff Reporter) The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) did not announce the Punjab Assembly’s (PA) polls date as its representatives meeting with Punjab Governor Muhammad Baligh-ur-Rehman regarding the implementation of the order of the Lahore High Court remained inconclusive.

According to the source, in ECP press release, the LHC had instructed the ECP to announce the elections schedule in consultation with Punjab Governor Muhammad Baligh-ur-Rehman. Chairing a consultative meeting with Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) representatives at Governor House on Tuesday, the governor was of the opinion that he had not dissolved the assembly so he was not authorized to announce the polls date. The governor said that he did not want take any extra-legal and constitutional step. The Lahore High Court’s decision requires an explanation, for which they were taking the legal route.

As per details, the meeting concluded with the remarks that some matters, including some aspects of the consultative role of the governor in the Lahore High Court’s decision, require clarification and interpretation, for which the court would be approached after consultation with legal and constitutional experts. The meeting was attended by the ECP Secretary Umar Hamid Khan, ECP Officers, Punjab administration and others.

Meanwhile LHC sought report from ECP to announcement of Punjab’s elections

The Lahore High Court (LHC) sought a report from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on a matter pertaining to announcement of a date for holding elections in Punjab. Justice Jawad Hassan heard a petition seeking contempt of court proceedings against the electoral body and Punjab Governor Baligh-ur-Rehman for not giving a date for elections in the province despite the dissolution of the assembly.

Furthermore “Why are you in hurry? If you don’t have, trust in judiciary,” Justice Jawad questioned petitioner Azhar Siddique while expressing surprise how his pleas were fixed for early hearings. He said the high court had issued its order in the election date case and was now waiting for the response from the ECP. The petitioner said the governor had excused himself from announcing a date. Justice Jawad said the election commission had 20 days to file an appeal against the LHC verdict.

Moreover during the hearing, the federal government lawyer told the judge that the ECP had called a meeting today, adding that the electoral body also held consultation with the governor in light of the court orders. Later, the court directed the ECP to submit a progress report on the matter.