ISLAMABAD: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja informed the Supreme Court on Thursday that efforts were being undertaken to limit the authority of Pakistan’s Election Commission (ECP).
The ECP chairman made the statement while appearing before the Supreme Court in a case involving the transfer of former Lahore capital city police officer (CCPO) Ghulam Mehmood Dogar.
The supreme court ordered him to appear and give the justifications for the removal of the Dogar.
efforts to curtail ECP powers
During today’s hearing, Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan questioned why the CCPO was removed despite Supreme Court instructions, and why the transfer orders were issued so quickly.
The ECP had approved Dogar’s removal, according to the additional advocate general, and a caretaker arrangement had been set up.
The lawyer explained, “According to the Constitution, elections must be held 90 days after a caretaker setup assumes power.
Justice Naqvi noted that half of the officers deployed in Punjab had been transferred. Furthermore, Justice Ahsan inquired as to the whereabouts of the ECP.
Additionally, he inquired, “Is there any district in Punjab where there hasn’t been a transfer?”
Justice Ahsan meanwhile questioned whether the ECP was aware of the Supreme Court’s directives regarding Dogar’s placement.
Moreover, Justice Ahsan stated, “The Election Commission is doing everything but its job.
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After issuing the summons, the bench adjourned the hearing for one hour.
The CEC Raja appeared before the bench as the hearing resumed.
The constitution states that elections must be held within 90 days, according to Justice Ahsan. The ECP’s responsibility is to hold elections. Adding, that the Constitution will be violated if they are not conducted within the allotted time, he continued.
During the hearing, when the court reminded the ECP chief of his obligation to hold elections within 90 days, the matter of delays in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was also discussed.
