The Supreme Court (SC) has admitted for hearing a petition filed by Election Commission (EC) against a decision of the Lahore High Court (LHC) with reference to the delimitation of constituencies in Rawalpindi, in connection with Local Bodies (LB) polls.
The court has issued notices to the parties concerned and sought a reply from them within a week. The court remarked that all the petitions would be decided within a week.
A three-member bench of SC, presided over by Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, took up the case for hearing on Tuesday. The counsel for EC appeared in the court and said that LHC had nullified the delimitation of constituencies, and that this was illegal and unconstitutional. The powers for carrying out delimitation of constituencies rest with EC only. The interpretation of the constitution made by LHC with reference to delimitation of constituencies in respect of 12 union councils is not correct. LHC has not kept in view the law. EC has to conduct the Local Bodies (LB) polls as per schedule. On the other hand, Punjab Local government ordinance allows EC to carry out delimitation of constituencies. It is not appropriate to cancel the delimitation of constituencies when the polls are ahead.
He prayed the court to set aside the LHC decision so that LB polls could be held in accordance with the schedule.
The court issued notices to all the parties concerned and said that all petitions will be heard together. A decision in this regard will be given next week.