Supreme Court announced Punjab elections: On Tuesday, the Supreme Court (SC) ruled that the Punjab elections order issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on March 22 was invalid.
The reserved decision on the PTI’s petition contesting the Electoral Commission of Pakistan’s order delaying the polls in Punjab and KP was made by a three-member panel made up of Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial, Judge Ijazul Ahsan, and Justice Munib Akhtar.
The ECP ruling delaying the provincial assembly elections till October 8 was deemed “unconstitutional” by the Supreme Court, who also mandated that the government release Rs21 billion for polls in Punjab by April 10.
Punjab elections must be held on May 14 per a ruling by the highest court. The SC further ordered Punjab’s interim administration to support the commission.
The ruling said that “the court will make an appropriate order in event of non-provision of monies.”
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa elections were a topic of discussion for the three-member SC bench because the province governor was not represented during the hearing.
Key highlights of today’s verdict
- ECP’s March 22 order declared null and void
- Elections in Punjab to be held on May 14
- SC orders govt to provide Rs21 billion in funds for elections
- Nomination papers to be submitted from April 10
- List of candidates to be published on April 19
- SC to continue hearing KP elections case
The Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP), Mansoor Awan, submitted the Ministry of Defence’s report to the Supreme Court (SC) detailing the availability of security troops for election duty prior to today’s ruling.
However, outside the building housing the apex court, there was a significant police presence and strong security was in place.
Following Judge Mandukhel and Justice Aminuddin’s withdrawal from the case’s hearings, which lasted more than a week, there was intense drama during the proceedings.
The coalition government objected on the bench, notwithstanding its demand for a full court to hear the issue. In addition, the PDM administration requested that the PTI case be dismissed in view of what it perceived to be a “4-3” ruling rendered by the Supreme Court on March 1.
Separately, a resolution mandating the creation of a full SC bench to hear constitutional cases was also approved by the NA last week.
“Resolution favors Election Commission, Government rejects hasty High Court decision”
According to the resolution, which was proposed by Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb, the Election Commission of Pakistan is a constitutional body, and any intrusion into its territory should be avoided. Instead, the commission should be allowed to conduct elections in a favourable environment in accordance with its authority.
The attorneys representing the political parties in the ruling coalition were not heard by the Supreme Court. This was despite their efforts to present arguments during the proceedings.
The government won’t accept it, according to Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, if a high court judgement is made hastily. Azam Nazeer Tarar expressed disappointment over the reduction in the number of members on the SC panel that had initiated the suo motu proceedings from nine to three. This reduction may have affected the course of the proceedings. One of the more experienced judges on the bench, Judge Mandokhail, declined to hear the case.
For the sake of political and economic stability, he believed that simultaneous general elections should be held throughout the nation.
The petition
The election commission’s decision to change the date of the elections in Punjab and KP was contested by PTI. The speakers of the Punjab and KPK assemblies, Sibtain Khan and Mushtaq Ghani respectively, submitted a combined constitutional appeal. The appeal was made on behalf of the Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf and concerned constitutional matters related to provincial assembly elections. Further details about the nature of the appeal are not available.
The PTI appeal added the ministry of parliamentary affairs, the ministry of law, and the cabinet as parties. In addition to the federation, Punjab, and KPK, these parties were included in the appeal. The purpose of this addition was not specified in the available information.
In the plea, PTI made a request for instructions from the federal government. The purpose of these instructions was to ensure law and order, the supply of resources, and security personnel as required by the ECP for conducting the polls. The plea aimed to facilitate the conduct of elections in a smooth and efficient manner.
However, The petitioner made a request to the court. Furthermore, The request was for the governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to declare the date of the provincial assembly elections.
