The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday dismissed a petition challenging the conduct of local bodies’ (LB) elections in phases in Punjab.
Justice Ijazul Ahsan heard the petition filed by Munif Awan of the Pakistan Justice Party.
Appearing before the court, the petitioner-counsel submitted that the conduct of LB polls in phases was against the constitutional provisions and elections laws. He argued that under the Constitution, it was mandatory to hold the LB elections in all constituencies altogether. The petitioner requested the court to set aside this decision, contending that the move was aimed at favouring the candidates of a particular party.
The Election Commission of Pakistan’s counsel however opposed the request, submitting that the commission did not have enough staff to conduct the polls altogether in all constituencies. He pointed out that the local government elections were held in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa altogether and had caused many problems, and requested the court to dismiss the petition.
The court, after hearing the arguments, reserved the verdict but a few hours later dismissed the petition.
