The Supreme Court of Pakistan division bench headed by Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) Justice Umar Ata Bandial voided the decision of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) that postponed the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa till October 8.
In its order today, the apex court instructed the electoral body to reinstate its previous election schedule under which polls were to be held on April 30 and extended it by 13 days, saying that the ECP could not go beyond the 90-day stipulated time.
“The law and Constitution do not give ECP the authority to delay the elections,” the top court observed.
It maintained that 13 days were wasted because of the ECP’s unlawful decision. According to the court, the nomination papers will be finalised by April 10, the Election Commission will publish the list of candidates on April 19, and electoral symbols will be issued by April 20.
The SC further directed the Punjab caretaker government, inspector general and chief secretary (security) to assist the commission and instructed the ECP to inform the court if the government refused to do so.
