The Lahore High Court on Friday ordered the Election Commission to immediately announce the date for elections in Punjab.
In its much-anticipated verdict, reserved earlier in the day, the court ruled that the top electoral authority was bound to carry out polling within 90 days of the assembly’s dissolution.
The plea, filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf for the issuance of the schedule, was admitted last month. In a more recent development, the party's chief Imran Khan threatened a 'jail bharo' movement if the ECP did not annonce the shedule for the elections.
“The ECP is directed to immediately announce the date of election of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab with the notification specifying reasons, after consultation with the governor of Punjab, being the constitutional head of the province, to ensure that the elections are held not later than ninety days as per the mandate of the Constitution,” read the decision.
During the hearing, Inspector General of Punjab Police told the court. “We will implement whatever decision the ECP takes in this regard.”
On the occasion, the chief secretary seconded the IG, saying he was, too, bound to implement the ECP and court orders.
Raising objections to the admissibility of the petition, the counsel for the ECP said the basis for the plea did not fall under the Commission's ambit and that it could not be made a respondent in the case.
He also highlighted that neither the president nor the government had been made respondents in the plea.
The counsel also pointed out that “police, judiciary, and other institutions have refused to sanction staff for poll duties," and asked, "How can we hold elections in such circumstances?”
The election date, he stressed, had to be issued either by the governor or the president and, “We require Rs14 billion for the whole electoral exercise in the province.”
The ECP lawyer also said the elections of national and provincial assemblies could not be transparent if they were held on separate days.
On Wednesday (Feb 8), President Arif Alvi urged the Election Commission to ‘immediately announce’ a polling date for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab to put an end to ‘dangerous speculative propaganda’.
He had stressed that polls are to be held within 90 days of dissolution of an assembly, as provided under Article 224(2) of the Constitution.
The conduct and holding of elections is the primary and essential duty of the authority, according to the president.
On Feb 7, it was reported that the elections in the provinces will likely be held in Oct-Nov alongside the National Assembly polls, as per an agreement between the coalition partners.
In its much-anticipated verdict, reserved earlier in the day, the court ruled that the top electoral authority was bound to carry out polling within 90 days of the assembly’s dissolution.
The plea, filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf for the issuance of the schedule, was admitted last month. In a more recent development, the party's chief Imran Khan threatened a 'jail bharo' movement if the ECP did not annonce the shedule for the elections.
“The ECP is directed to immediately announce the date of election of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab with the notification specifying reasons, after consultation with the governor of Punjab, being the constitutional head of the province, to ensure that the elections are held not later than ninety days as per the mandate of the Constitution,” read the decision.
During the hearing, Inspector General of Punjab Police told the court. “We will implement whatever decision the ECP takes in this regard.”
On the occasion, the chief secretary seconded the IG, saying he was, too, bound to implement the ECP and court orders.
Raising objections to the admissibility of the petition, the counsel for the ECP said the basis for the plea did not fall under the Commission's ambit and that it could not be made a respondent in the case.
He also highlighted that neither the president nor the government had been made respondents in the plea.
On Wednesday (Feb 8), President Arif Alvi urged the Election Commission to ‘immediately announce’ a date for polling in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab to put an end to ‘dangerous speculative propaganda’. He had stressed that polls are to be held within 90 days of dissolution of an assembly, as provide under Article 224(2) of the Constitution. The conduct and holding of elections is the primary and essential duty of the authority, according to the president.
The counsel also pointed out that “police, judiciary, and other institutions have refused to sanction staff for poll duties," and asked, "How can we hold elections in such circumstances?”
The election date, he stressed, had to be issued either by the governor or the president and, “We require Rs14 billion for the whole electoral exercise in the province.”
The ECP lawyer also said the elections of national and provincial assemblies could not be transparent if they were held on separate days.
On Wednesday (Feb 8), President Arif Alvi urged the Election Commission to ‘immediately announce’ a polling date for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab to put an end to ‘dangerous speculative propaganda’.
He had stressed that polls are to be held within 90 days of dissolution of an assembly, as provided under Article 224(2) of the Constitution.
The conduct and holding of elections is the primary and essential duty of the authority, according to the president.
On Feb 7, it was reported that the elections in the provinces will likely be held in Oct-Nov alongside the National Assembly polls, as per an agreement between the coalition partners.