The court also directed the ECP and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to complete the process and submit a report within a month so that the ECP could announce a final date for holding LB elections in the province
A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice Nasirul Mulk, heard the local bodies (LB) election case. During the hearing, Attorney General of Pakistan Salman Asam Butt informed the court that the federal government had issued two ordinances — one pertaining to the empowerment of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to conduct the delimitation of constituencies and the other relating to the preparation of voters’ lists.
Razaaq Mirza, representing the Punjab government, said that an ordinance regarding an amendment in the law for LB elections had been issued which would be tabled before the provincial assembly soon.
Similarly, Mir Qasim, representing the Sindh government, informed the court that a bill pertaining to LB elections had been prepared which would be tabled in the provincial assembly very soon.
The court was informed that authority for the delimitation of constituencies in Sindh and Punjab would be given to the ECP after the approval of the ordinance.
Muhammad Akram Sheikh, counsel for the ECP while appearing before the court, submitted that at least five months will be required to make preliminary preparation as well as arrange a biometric system for holding LB elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The learned counsel further informed the court that a meeting had been held between the ECP and the provincial authorities to make preliminary arrangements to ensure the holding of LB elections in the province.
The court directed the ECP and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to complete the process and submit a report within a month so that the ECP could announce a final date for holding LB elections in the province.
The court also directed the Punjab and Sindh governments to complete the legislation process by October 30 for holding LB elections.
Muhammad Akram Sheikh contended before the court that the demarcation of constituencies within 45 days was not possible as the process could take at least six months.He requested the court to hear the plea, earlier submitted by the ECP regarding delimitation of constituencies within 45 days.
The court, however, observed that after Sindh and Punjab completed their legislation process for the delimitation of constituencies, the ECP’s plea would also be heard, and adjourned the hearing until October 30.The court on October 30, would also take up the matter pertaining to the appointment of a permanent Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) as well.
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