ECP challenges SC verdict saying ‘the judiciary cannot fix election date’
ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan today challenged the Supreme Court’s decision in the SC saying the judiciary cannot fix the election date.
The ECP, therefore, asked the apex court to review its decision about holding the elections on May 14 in Punjab.
The Commission also asked the Supreme Court not to intervene in the jurisdiction of the Election Commission of Pakistan.
The Commission filed a 14-page petition with the Supreme Court on Wednesday. In its petition, the ECP said the superior court should review its decision because the judiciary ‘doesn’t have the authority to give the date of elections.’
The review petition was filed shortly after PTI said that it would submit a report of the talks with the government in the Supreme Court, urging the court to implement its verdict on polls in Punjab.
“It is most respectfully prayed that the Court may accept the instant Review Petition by revisiting, reviewing, reconsidering, and recalling SC’s Impunged Order/Judgment dated 04.04.2023, in the interest of justice and equity,” the petition says.
PTI to submit talks report with SC
Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf said it would submit a report to the Supreme Court about its talks with the government regarding elections on the same day.
The government and PTI leaders are holding talks as per the order of the Supreme Court to evolve a consensus on holding elections on the same day in the country.
The Supreme Court is hearing a case on delay in elections. The court had directed the government to hold talks with other parties to decide a date for elections.
So far, the government and the PTI could not decide on a date for holding nationwide elections.
It was learned that the PDM government has turned down the demand of the PTI to dissolve the National Assembly, Sindh, and Balochistan Assemblies before May 14 to hold fresh elections.
On Tuesday, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah ruled out elections in Punjab on May 14, a deadline given by the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
He also said that the government wants to present the upcoming budget and the assemblies could be dissolved after its approval.
Meanwhile, PTI chairman Imran Khan has linked the dissolution of the National Assembly to holding further talks with the government. Be believes that if the government is serious about holding elections, it will dissolve the assemblies.
