ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Tuesday declared the order of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) regarding delay in elections in Punjab null and void, ordering polls on May 14.
Apex court’s three-member bench, headed by Chief Justiece Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Ijazul Ahsan, issued the unanimous verdict reserved on Monday after hearing arguments from parties concerned. It also ruled that the ECP carried out an unconstitutional act by delaying the polls.
Imran Khan-led party had filed the petition regarding delay in elections after the ECP on March 22 put off the polls till Oct 8, citing finacial and security constraints. It said the schedule for polls in Punjab had been revised as the ECP order caused delay in the process. The bench also ordered the election commission to issue a schedule for polls in KP.
The apex court has ordered the government to provide Rs21 billion funds till April 10, directing the ECP to approach it if the resources are not provided to it by the government. It also directed the caretaker Punjab government to play its constitutional role, besides ordering the chief secretary to finalise a security plan for elections till April 10. The CJP Bandial-led bench also ordered the government to ensure the provision of security for elections.
Revised Election Schedule
As per the revised schedule issued by court, nomination papers can be submitted till April 10 while the last date for filing the appeals has been fixed as April 17. Candidates will be able to file review petitions on appeals till April 18 while final list of candidates will be issued on April 19. The ECP will allot electoral symbols on April 20.
4/3 or 3/2?
The top court has also rejected claims that its verdict on the suo motu on elections was dismissed with 4-3, saying it was a verdict of 3-2. During the previous hearings, the federal government and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail had contended that the bench had dismissed the case with 4-3 majority. An order issued by a bench headed by Justice Qazi Faez Isa regarding suo motu matters had no impact on the elections’ case, ruled the court.
KP Election
The bench said the matter related to elections in Khyber Pakhunkhwa would be heard separately.
Reactions
PTI is celebrating the ruling of the top court as its victory. Shah Mahmood Qureshi, talking to media outside the court, the verdict had proved a final nail in the coffin of the doctrine of necessity.
The PTI vice-chairman congratulated Imran Khan, lawyers’ community and the nation on the case victory. He urged the ECP to fulfill its responsibility and ensure transparent elections. Mr Qureshi extended an invitation to all political parties in Pakistan to come together and collaborate towards defusing tensions and creating a peaceful atmosphere in the country.
He asked the party leaders and workers to go into their respective constituencies and start preparations for elections.
Taking to Twitter, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry wrote, “Congratulations to the nation on the victory of the Constitution! The decision of the Supreme Court is the decision of the rights of every Pakistani citizen.” He said CJP Bandial had become People’s Chief Justice today….. he stood tall against immense pressure, rejected all illegal demands and proved a man of substance.
Meanwhile, Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar reiterated that the suo motu case was dismissed with 4-3 majority verdict, adding that the chief justice should have called a full court meeting to end the ambiguity on it.
Security Heightened
Meanwhile, a heavy contingent of police, Rangers and FC was deployed while barbed wires placed around the top court as part of security measures to avoid any untoward situation.
Furthermore, only relevant people were allowed to enter the premises of court after verification.
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