The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday issues the schedule for elections in Punjab that are to be held by 14th as per direction by the Supreme Court verdict.
According to the ECP notification, the Polling for the Punjab Assembly elections will be held on 14th May 2023. The Election Commission also cancels its earlier schedule regarding the holding of general elections in Punjab by 8th October.
Also Read: Supreme Court directs ECP to hold KP and Punjab Elections by 14th May
As per the schedule, appeals can be filed against the decisions of Returning Officers regarding rejection or accepting nomination papers on April 10.
The ECP schedule comes hours after the consultative meeting of the Election Commission, under the chair of CEC Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja that was held in Islamabad today (Wednesday) to deliberate on the Supreme Court’s (SC)’s verdict regarding Punjab Assembly elections.
During the meeting, the ECP lawyers briefed the commission about the legal aspects and prospects of the implementation on the apex court’s order.
Sources said the participants in the meeting also decided to consult the caretaker Punjab government for administrative and security matters.
The ECP has also decided to consult with the finance ministry and federal Government for the release of funds required for Punjab polls.
Supreme Court Verdict
The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday 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.
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.
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 also directed to conduct Punjab polls on May 14. The SC further directed the caretaker government in Punjab to assist the commission.
Supreme Court also directed Pak Army to provide security for the upcoming elections and also orders to ECP to hold elections by 14th March.
After Supreme Court verdict The federal cabinet call up for meeting in which cabinet rejected Supreme Court’s verdict on elections. The federal cabinet session chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a session, considered the decision of the apex court for holding elections in Punjab.
The cabinet declared the court’s decision as a ‘minority verdict’ and ‘non implementable’.
