The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Saturday decided to approach Supreme Court against the Lahore High Court’s verdict that set aside the nomination forms for the upcoming general elections as well as Balochistan High Court’s ruling which declared delimitation of eight provincial constituencies in Quetta district null and void.
Both the decisions have brought the holding of general elections on July 25 into question.
The decision came at an emergency meeting of the commission, with Chief Election Commissioner Sardar Raza Khan in the chair. The meeting was called to work out future course of action in the backdrop of the verdicts by the two high courts.
Speaking to media after the meeting, ECP Additional Secretary Akhtar Nazir made it clear that the upcoming general elections will be held on time under any circumstances. He said the commission would immediately file appeals against verdicts of the two high courts on nomination papers and annulment of delimitation of constituencies in a number of districts.
He said returning officers across the country have been asked to not accept any nomination papers on June 3 and 4. A new schedule would be issued to the returning officers after Supreme Court gives its verdict on the appeals, he said. The current schedule has an extension margin of two to three days, he added.
Speaking to journalists ahead of the meeting, ECP Secretary Babar Yaqoob said the commission had received the LHC decision on the nomination forms. He said that the court has given several directives to the ECP on the matter.
However, the ECP would decide whether to prepare new nomination forms or make changes to the previous ones, he said, adding that the commission has also received BHC orders regarding delimitation.
Caretaker Prime Minister Justice (r) Nasirul Mulk also on Saturday directed the Ministry of Law and Justice to file an appeal against the Lahore High Court’s verdict declaring nomination papers for general election 2018 null and void.
The appeal is likely to be filed in the Supreme Court by the Ministry of Law and Justice. The decision to file an appeal is based on ensuring elections are held on time.
In its verdict on Friday, the Lahore High Court had nullified the nomination papers which were to be submitted by the candidates for general elections 2018, ruling that they did not seek necessary information and declarations such as details on educational background, criminal record or if they held dual nationality.
The court had ordered the ECP to add the requirements of articles 62 and 63 of the constitution in the nomination papers. The LHC affirmed that the ECP had the authority to make any changes in the nomination papers. However, the decision would not affect the schedule of the election, the court had ruled.
Published in Daily Times, June 3rd 2018.
