- Asks ECP to carry out the delimitations again in Jhang, Jhelum, Toba Tek Singh and Lower Dir
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday annulled the delimitation of four constituencies and sent their case back to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to carry out the delimitations again.
While hearing the case, Justice Aamir Farooq declared the delimitations of Jhang, Jhelum, Toba Tek Singh and Lower Dir as void, while a verdict on the delimitation of Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Chakwal, Battagram, and Haripur was also reserved.
At the same time, Justice Aamir Farooq disposed of petitions challenging the delimitation of the federal capital after ECP representatives assured the court that the anomalies are already being rectified.
Justice Aamir Farooq ruled that the rules that have been followed in the delimitation of other constituencies should be kept in view while delimiting constituencies in the districts in question as well.
The court has subsequently remanded the decided cases to the ECP with a direction to the chief election commissioner (CEC) to decide on the matter after hearing all stakeholders, as is the law.
The IHC will further hear 37 petitions against delimitation of 20 other constituencies on Wednesday.
The population proportion must be considered for the new delimitations, the court ordered.
The court heard 40 of the 108 petitions lodged against delimitations from Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
According to the petitioners, the political basis for delimitations had not been kept in mind and rules were not considered. The objectives and stance of all stakeholders need to be taken into consideration when delimiting a constituency, the petitioners have asked.
While arguing that standard procedures have not been followed, the petitioners have requested that the court set aside the current delimitation so that ECP decides the matter afresh.
According to the procedure, the ECP follows a set formula for the number of provincial and National Assembly seats each district is allotted.
