Islamabad: The Supreme Court has ordered elections to be held in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa within 90 days.
On Wednesday, A 5-member larger bench headed by Chief Justice Umar Atta Bandyal, in a decision on delay in elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, said that elections should be held in 90 days in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. If the assembly is dissolved on the order of the governor, then the governor should give the date of the election. The five-member bench gave the decision in a ratio of three to two.
Chief Justice, Justice Muneeb Akhtar, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar gave the majority decision while Justice Jamal Mandukhel and Justice Mansoor Ali Shah gave a dissenting note.
The court ordered the President of the state to consult with the Election Commission in Punjab and the Governor in KP to consult with the Election Commission to give the date of the election. The Supreme Court declared the President’s order of February 20 valid to the extent of Punjab, while void for the KP Assembly.
The Supreme Court said in the decision that the Election Commission is obliged to play the role of advice to the Governor and the President. The President announced the date of the elections on April 9. The Election Commission did not play its role in this situation. If elections are not possible on April 9, then the date can be changed in Punjab after consultation.
The court said that it is the responsibility of the federal to play its role in conducting the elections. It is also the duty of Capital that the Executive Authorities of the Federal Government assist the Election Commission. Governor KP should immediately give the date of polls and all federal and provincial institutions should provide all kinds of assistance including security to the Election Commission.
The court had reserved the order of suo motu notice yesterday.
