ISLAMABAD: Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has decided to challenge the verdict of Lahore High Court (LHC) on nomination papers in Supreme Court.
Talking to media after the commission’s meeting on Saturday, ECP Additional Secretary Akhtar Nazeer said the returning officer’s across the country ordered not to accept the nomination paper on June 3 and 4.
“A new schedule will be issued after the verdict of Supreme Court,” the additional secretary said, adding the current schedule has a margin of extending it by two to three days.
“Elections, however, will be held on July 25,” he asserted.
Earlier in the day, ECP summoned emergency meeting, summoned after LHC nullified the parliament-prepared nomination papers for general elections 2018.
Cheif Elections Commission Sardar Muhammad Raza headed the meeting, where LHC’s decision over nomination papers and Balochistan High Court’s ruling over delimitation were discussed.
On Friday, LHC rejected the amendment in the nomination papers and directed ECP to prepare new papers in accordance with Constitution and Elections Act. The court asked the commission to again add the requirements of Article 62 and 63 in the nomination papers.
After the court’s order, ECP stopped its returning officers from receiving the nomination papers, which, according to the schedule, were to be received starting from Saturday.
ECP said the LHC has ordered the institution to end all the shortcomings in Forms ‘A’ and ‘B’ and important decisions, regarding the court’s orders, will be taken during the meeting.
ECP holds the authority to make any changes in the nomination papers, the court observed, adding that this ruling will not affect the schedule of upcoming polls.
The court also argued that the voter should have the information about the candidates regarding dual nationality, income tax paid, loan default, details of assets and liabilities, agriculture tax paid, and criminal record.
On Thursday, the ECP announced the schedule for candidates to file their nomination papers, stating that they could be submitted from June 2 to 6, 2018.
The returning officers would publish the names of the candidates on June 7, subsequently, start the scrutiny for their credentials on the same day that would end on June 14.
Meanwhile, Balochistan High Court (BHC) rejected the delimitation of eight electoral constituencies.
The 2018 general elections are scheduled to be held on July 25.
