- LHC sets aside ECP’s notification barring govt high-ups, party heads from taking part in by-poll campaigns, however restrains use of state funds
Allowing former Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Punjab Central President Mansoor Sarwar’s petition, Lahore High Court (LHC)’s Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah Monday set aside Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP)’s notification restricting the participation of president, prime minister, ministers and party heads in the election campaigns of candidates running for by-polls.
However, the court restrained the government high-ups from using state funds and promising projects in the campaigns.
During the hearing, petitioner’s counsel Muhammad Zaman Khan Verdeg termed ECP’s code of conduct “unconstitutional”. He said keeping the supporters of by-poll candidates at bay was a violation of fundamental rights. He pleaded the court to set aside the commission’s notification being “illegal”.
An ECP officer informed the court that the code of conduct was issued after consultation with all political parties and was aimed at keeping the election process impartial.
Amicus curie Advocate Shahzad Shaukat said that the Indian Supreme Court had already set aside such restrictions being ultra vires of the constitution, allowing government high-ups and party heads to participate in the election campaign of their respective candidates but restrained them from use of state funds and machinery for the purpose.
The court after hearing the arguments of all parties set aside the ECP notification.
