The ECP furthered that it had ordered the LG elections on time but the high court had declared the order null and void.
Ex-premier Imran Khan welcomes IHC’s decision of holding LG polls today. Says people of Islamabad need to rout corrupt gang today.
LG polls not possible before four months despite court order: Rana Sanaullah. Says it would take at least 10 months to hold general elections
ISLAMABAD ( Web News )
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to hold local body elections in the federal capital tomorrow (Saturday).
IHC Judge Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir on Friday nullified the ECP decision to postpone the local government polls scheduled to be held on December 31 and ordered the election watchdog to hold elections in 101 union councils of the federal capital on its scheduled date.
Earlier today, Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir had reserved the decision on the petition filed by the PTI against the ECP’s decision to postpone the polls.
During the hearing of the case, the ECP had agreed to hold local body elections in seven to 10 days but held the provincial and federal governments responsible for not holding local body elections on time in Islamabad.
The electoral watchdog made the remark in its written response submitted to the IHC in a case pertaining to the postponement of LB elections in the capital.
The electoral body maintained that it is serious about conducting the elections and suggested not changing the laws before the elections, and amending Article 140 (A) of the Constitution and Election Act 219 to fulfill the constitutional responsibility of conducting local elections.
The ECP furthered that it had ordered the LG elections on time but the high court had declared the order null and void.
“Under section 219 (1) the local government shall conduct elections subject to the rules, however, when the preparations for the elections are completed, changes in the laws by the federal and provincial governments hinder the timely conduct of the elections,” the response added.
It also stated that Section 219 (1) and (4) are contradictory and that Section 219 (1) mandates LG polls at the provincial and central levels under the Local Government Acts.
The ECP explained that the proposed amendment to the law is intended to prevent central or provincial governments from changing the laws before elections are near. The commission also appealed to the court to reject the request of the petitioners.
The electoral watchdog told the court that the ministry of law has agreed to hold local body elections in four months. However, the interior minister has sought time for consultation with the federal government.
Additional Attorney General Manoor Iqbal Dogal and Deputy Attorney General appeared on behalf of the federal government while advocate Sardar Taimur Aslam represented the PTI.
The DG election commission along with other officials were also present in the court on this occasion.
While welcoming IHC’s decision to direct ECP to hold local government elections in the federal capital today (Saturday), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan urged the people of Islamabad to fully participate in the LG polls in order to inflict crushing defeat on these cabal of thieves.
In a special congratulatory message to the people of the federal capital on Friday, PTI Chairman Khan said that they got an opportunity to elect their local government in the wake of the IHC’s decision.
Imran Khan stated that it was really unfortunate that ECP always worked as facilitator of the corrupt gang imposed on the country, as the electoral watchdog often gave decisions against democracy just to benefit these thieves.
However, he went on to say that the honorable courts always rejected all the illegal decisions taken by the Election Commission. PTI Chairman stated that this corrupt group was afraid of the people; hence they were always for escape route to avoid the elections because they cannot face the people.
Imran Khan said that these cabal of thieves bought consciences of people through horse-trading by spending their corruption money to prolong their rule. However, he made it clear that the mafia had left with no option as the masses badly rejected them.
“I strongly urge the people of Islamabad to fully participate in the LG polls tomorrow,” he added. “I hope, God willing, the people of the federal capital will defeat this corrupt group,” he vowed.
LG polls not possible before four months despite court order: Rana Sanaullah. Says it would take at least 10 months to hold general elections
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said on Friday though the government respected court’s ruling the local government elections would not be possible before four months.
Speaking about the LG polls arrangement, Rana Sanaullah said that making the arrangement of 1,000 polling stations on an immediate basis was not possible. He said it would take at least 10 months to hold the general election likely in October.
Meanwhile, Islamabad High Court directed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday to hold local government elections in the capital city on December 31 (today) and set aside its notification on the postponement of the polls.
The verdict was pronounced by IHC Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir, who was hearing identical petitions filed by the PTI and the Jamaat-i-Islami against the ECP’s decision announced earlier this week. In a short order issued on Friday, the court set aside ECP’s order dated Dec 27.
“The Election Commission of Pakistan is directed to hold the local government elections in the Islamabad Capital Territory as per the schedule already announced i.e. on 31.12.2022,” it said.
The court also ordered the federal government to provide complete assistance to the electoral body for conducting the local bodies’ elections as mandated by the Constitution. On Tuesday, the ECP had postponed the polls “for the time being” at the last minute, frustrating thousands of contestants and their supporters.