The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday in its verdict in over delaying election in Punjab orders Pak Army to provide security for the upcoming elections and also orders to ECP to hold elections by 14th March.
A three-member bench heading by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhtar — announced the reserved verdict on the PTI’s petition challenging the Election Commission of Pakistan’s order postponing the elections in Punjab and KP.
Also Read: Supreme Court directs ECP to hold KP and Punjab Elections by 14th May
The Supreme Court declared the ECP’s order postponing the provincial assembly elections until October 8 as “unconstitutional” and ordered the government to release Rs21 billion funds for elections in Punjab by April 10.
The top court directed to conduct Punjab polls on May 14.
The SC further directed the Pak Army to provide security for elections.
The court ruled that the Pakistan Army must work in coordination with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to ensure that the elections are held in a free, fair, and transparent manner. The court also directed the ECP to work closely with the military to ensure that security arrangements are in place and that the electoral process is not disrupted by any means.
ECP Order is Unconstitutional
Earlier today Supreme Court (SC) in its verdict declares the Election Commission of Pakistan’s ECP) 22nd March order to postpone Elections in Punjab null and void ordering to hold poll by 14th of May.
The Supreme Court declared the ECP’s order of postponing the provincial assembly elections until 8th October 2023 as “unconstitutional”
The verdict said that the election programme for the general election to the Punjab Assembly stands “revived and restored” immediately with a few modifications.
Regarding Khyber Pakhtunkhwa polls, the SC three-member bench said the issue will remain under debate as during the course of the hearing nobody represented the provincial governor..
Key Features of today’s verdict
- ECP order of March 22 declared unconstitutional
- SC directs ECP to hold elections in Punjab on May 14
- Govt directed to provide Rs21bn in funds to ECP by April 10
- ECP asked to submit a report to SC on the issue by April 11
- Govt directed to share the security plan with ECP by April 17
- Apex court to continue hearing case regarding elections in KP
Remember that after ECP announces to delay the election till 8th October after which PTI had challenged the election commission’s decision to change the date of election in Punjab and KP.
Now today after a week hearing supreme court three member bench directs ECP in its verdict to hold Punjab Elections by 14th May. Supreme Court also issues orders to Pak Army to provide security for Elections.
