Upper house of Pakistan (Senate) on Monday passed a resolution to hold Same Day Elections in the National and four Provincial Assemblies.
The resolution was approved by the majority vote in the upper house of the parliament.
Also Read: Complaint filed in Supreme Judicial Council for removal of CJP Umar Ata Bandial
National Party Senator Tahir Bizenjo moved the resolution, saying that if the Punjab elections were held now they would cast negative impact on all others provincial Assemblies.
During a recent Joint session, it was debated that simultaneous general elections for all assemblies were crucial for country to achieving political and economic stability in Pakistan. The resolution moved by National Party Senator Tahir Bazenjo urging that conducting separate elections in Punjab would unfairly influence the results of the general elections, which would be a disservice to the smaller provinces
“The federal will be more powerful if the elections of the National Assembly and all four provinces are held on the same day,” said the Senator.
Senator Mushtaq, however, said that all the assemblies should be dissolved and general elections should be announced across the country.
He said that delay in elections was not allowed under the Constitution.
“Holding elections within 90 days is mandatory under the Constitution. So follow the law. Dissolve all the assemblies and hold elections the same day,” said Senator Mushtaq.
After the debate, The resolution was passed with a majority meanwhile opposition leaders protested against the approval of the resolution and chanted slogans against the government. The Opposition Parties leaders gathered in front of the dice of the Senate Chairman and showed strong reaction.
Remember that, Supreme Court in its verdict, ordered the finance ministry to release Rupees 21 billion to the Election Commission of Pakistan for the Punjab election.
Supreme Court Verdict
On 5th April Supreme court 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. Supreme Court also directed Pak Army to provide security for the upcoming elections and also orders to ECP to hold elections by 14th March.
Parliament rejects Supreme Court Verdict
The National Assembly on Thursday passed a resolution rejecting the three-member Supreme Court bench’s verdict on the Punjab polls. Parliament passes the resolution to reject the Top Court Verdict of holding election in Punjab by 14th May.
The resolution, moved by Balcohsitan Awami Party (BAP) lawmaker Khalid Magsi, was approved by a majority of the lawmakers.
The motion urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his cabinet not to abide by the three-member Supreme Court ruling.
Reading out the resolution on the floor of the National Assembly, Balcohsitan Awami Party lawmaker Khalid Magsi said: “This House rejects the minority decision of the three-member bench and binds the prime minister and the cabinet not to implement the unconstitutional and unlawful decision.”
The resolution noted that PDM Alliance had called on the top court to form a full court bench but it was ignored and only one political party was heard in the case.
It further said that the house considers the conduct of general elections simultaneously across the country as the solution to all the problems. The resolution also demanded the formation of a full court bench to review the “wrong interpretation” of Article 63-A.
Earlier Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the decision, in a cabinet meeting, as a “mockery of the Constitution and law” and said it could not be implemented.
A mockery was being made with constitution and law and fate of the nation was being decided with strange decisions, he had said.
“How a decision of another bench was neglected while members of the three-judge bench who had earlier recused themselves and again joined it!” he questioned.
Contempt of Court
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmaker Mohsin Leghari, while opposing the resolution warned that, House was treading on a dangerous path, and asked: “Are we committing contempt of court?”
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmaker Mohsin Leghari, while opposing the resolution, warned that the House was treading on a dangerous path, and asked: “Are we committing contempt of court?”
He further warned that a “war” with the Supreme Court would be “very dangerous” and said that a resolution, such as the one tabled should be passed after rational consideration and not under the flow of passion.
He defended the SC’s move on the Punjab elections and said that the apex court had announced for elections to be held within 90 days since that was instructed by the Constitution, and expressed concern that 90% of the actions of the House were based on criticising PTI Chairman Imran Khan.
“Even though Imran is not in the House, he is on everyone’s minds” Legahri declared, as other members of PTI protested against the resolution.
ECP announces Election Schedule
Earlier Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) 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.
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.
