ISLAMABAD:
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial observed on Tuesday that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the government were now taking the Punjab polls review petition “seriously”.
The Supreme Court’s (SC) top judge remarked that previously the two had been “motivated by other considerations in the matter of elections” and had their attention focused on apparently frivolous matters like “the number of judges” and appeals “for a full court hearing”.
A three-judge bench of the apex court was hearing the ECP review petition against its April 4 order declaring polls in Punjab to be held on May 14.
Notably, the government contended that the bench’s order encroached on the autonomy of the ECP.
“Jurisdictional overreach by virtue of [the] order dated 04-04-2023 by encroaching upon the exclusive domain of the petitioner body [ECP] therefore infringes upon the independence and autonomy of the [ECP],” said a concise statement submitted by the federal government through Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Awan.
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“[The order is] violating the principles enshrined in the Constitution and the [Election] Act 2017 that has carved out a specific and special role for the [ECP]” it added.
The statement stated that the concept of “political justice” as envisioned in the Objectives Resolution, has become an integral component of our Constitution, embodying the ideals and values that shape our democratic system.
“By virtue of announcing a poll date by encroaching upon an autonomous body mandated with the powers to safeguard the votes of the people and ensure free and fair elections, the concept of political justice stands eroded and polluted,” it added.
During the proceedings today, the ECP’s lawyer, Sajeel Sheharyar Swati, presented his arguments before the court.
He urged the bench to enlarge the scope of review in the matter.
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