Islamabad (Web Desk): Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday forwarded a request to Punjab Governor Baligh Ur for consultation regarding the date of general elections in the province.
According to a statement issued by the ECP, details, the decision was taken in a meeting headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja in Islamabad.
Keeping in view the Lahore High Court's (LHC) decision of February 10, the meeting discussed the procedure of its implementation.
“As per the honourable court’s order, the election commission has requested the Punjab governor to hold a meeting on February 14 to consult on the date for the general elections for the Punjab Assembly,” said the statement. It added that the “important letter” has been dispatched to the governor.
The electoral body authorized the Special Secretary and Director General Law under the supervision of Secretary Election Commission to hold consultation with the governor and brief the commission regarding next plan of action.
On February 10, the LHC ordered the ECP to ensure that elections in Punjab will be held within 90 days.
Announcing the reserved verdict, Justice Jawad Hassan accepted the PTI plea and asked the electoral body to stage the polls within the constitutional limit.
The PTI had moved the high court requesting the court to direct the election commission issue the dates for the elections in Punjab.
During the hearing, Inspector General of Punjab Police, Dr Usman Anwar and the chief secretary appeared before the court.
Punjab’s top cop and bureaucrat assured the court that they will follow whatever the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) decides. The chief secretary also said that they would follow through on the court’s order.
On January 14, 2023, pursuant to the advice of the then chief minister in accordance with terms of Article 112(1) of the Constitution, the assembly stood dissolved.
He contended that subsequently, the speaker of the Punjab Assembly through a letter on January 20, 2023 requested the respondent to fulfil his constitutional duties and immediately appoint a date for elections not later than 90 days from the date of the dissolution of the legislature as required by Article 105 (3)(1)(a) read with Article 224 of the Constitution.
The plea further read that the ECP, through a letter dated January 24, 2023, communicated its concern with respect to the inaction of the respondent in announcing a date for the elections and required him to fix a date between April 9, 2023 and April 13, 2023.