Feb 8 Polls
ISLAMABAD: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja and Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Qazi Faez Isa held discussions on the potential repercussions of the Lahore High Court’s (LHC) verdict affecting the polling process.
The LHC, on December 14, suspended the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) notification seeking returning officers (ROs) and district returning officers (DROs) from the bureaucracy for the upcoming general elections scheduled for February 8, 2024. The CEC briefed the apex court judges, including Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan and Justice Tariq Masood, on the LHC’s decision, prompted by a plea from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) alleging that appointing DROs and ROs from the bureaucracy would compromise impartial and transparent elections.
Sources suggest that the Supreme Court might consider intervening to ensure the implementation of its earlier directive for timely elections. Although the court might not delve into administrative affairs, it could empower the ECP to appoint ROs and DROs.
The impending decision becomes critical as the ECP is required to announce the poll schedule by December 17, aligning with the constitutional deadline. The possibility of the SC constituting a bench on the issue arises once the ECP files its petition against the LHC verdict.
In response to the LHC’s decision, the ECP is expected to file an application under Article 185 of the Constitution, with major political parties, including the Pakistan Peoples Party, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid, Balochistan Awami Party, and Awami National Party joining the case. Meanwhile, concerns have been raised about a potential delay in polls due to the ECP’s cessation of training for ROs and DROs, exacerbating existing staff shortages.
The meeting underscores the complex dynamics leading up to the general elections, involving legal battles, constitutional deadlines, and procedural intricacies within the electoral process. The SC’s decision will play a pivotal role in shaping the trajectory of the upcoming elections in Pakistan. Overall, CEC Sikandar Raja and CJP Isa discuss LHC verdict’s impact on Feb 8 polls; explore potential ramifications for the electoral process.
I am a dynamic professional, specializing in Peace and Conflict Studies, Conflict Management and Resolution, and International Relations. My expertise is particularly focused on South Asian Conflicts and the intricacies of the Indian Ocean and Asia Pacific Politics. With my skills as a Content Writer, I serve as a bridge between academia and the public, translating complex global issues into accessible narratives. My passion for fostering understanding and cooperation on the national and international stage drives me to make meaningful contributions to peace and global discourse.
