SC directs ECP to hold LB polls on proposed dates

The Supreme Court on Friday directed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to follow the formal request of provinces on the subject of holding local body (LB) elections on specified date.

A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and comprising Justice Jawwad S Khawaja and Justice Gulzar Ahmad resumed hearing in the LB elections case.

During the course of proceedings, Shiekh Akram, counsel for ECP, apprised the bench that commission was facing some difficulties to hold the election by the particular dates, as very short period of time was left.

The chief justice remarked that now the ball was in the ECP’s court, but one thing should be kept in mind that the courts would not allow anyone to violate the constitution.

Advocate generals of Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan apprised the bench that formal request for holding election were sent to ECP. All law officers of the provinces reiterated that they were equipped to conduct the elections on the given dates.

Punjab and Balochistan provinces would hold polling in December, while Sindh was ready to hold the polls on November 27.

Meanwhile, Attorney General Munir A Malik appeared before the bench and assisted in compliance with an earlier order on constitutional provisions.

He further stated that the federal government was bound by provisions of the constitution, particularly Article 140-A of the constitution which bound the government to follow the Green Book.

Later the bench directed the AG to present detailed arguments on November 4 and adjourned hearing of the case.