ISLAMABAD: The decision to conduct the upcoming general elections based on the fresh census has been challenged in the Supreme Court by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA).
The SCBA has filed a constitutional petition in the Supreme Court, requesting the suspension of the decision to hold elections based on the new census. The petition also seeks an immediate order from the Supreme Court for the Election Commission of Pakistan to organize general elections across the country.
Moreover, the SCBA contends that scheduling elections based on the new census are an unconstitutional move aimed at delaying the electoral process.
However, the petition involves parties such as the federation, the Council of Common Interests, the four provinces, and the Election Commission of Pakistan. The petition seeks to declare the notification issued in line with the August 5 decision of the Council of Common Interests as illegal.
The participation of the caretaker chief ministers of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab in the CCI meeting is highlighted.
The petition asserts that the formation of the Council of Common Interests lacks constitutional validity.
In addition, the plea points out Clause 2 of Article 224 of the Constitution, which stipulates that elections should be conducted within 90 days.
Furthermore, the plea emphasizes that the election commission is not authorized to extend the election timeline beyond 90 days under any circumstances.
It argues that the Election Commission of Pakistan does not possess constitutional authority to postpone elections based on new delimitations.
Supreme Court Bar Association President Abid Zuberi has filed the petition.
Additionally, the petition raises concerns about the incomplete quorum of the Council of Common Interests, questioning the feasibility of implementing decisions in the absence of a proper quorum.
