SC fixes May 14 for Punjab elections, declares ECP’s decision as null & void

Supreme Court has declared null and void the Election Commission of Pakistan’s 22nd March decision of postponing the elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

According to the media reports, a three-member bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Umar Ata Bandial has declared null and void the 22nd March decision of ECP of postponing the elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

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The short order read out by the Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Umar Ata Bandial said neither the constitution nor the law empowers the Election Commission to extend the date of elections beyond the 90 days period as provided in Article 224(2) of the Constitution.

According to the judgment, polling for the Punjab Assembly’s election will now be held on the 14th of May. The tenth of April has now been set as the last date for filing appeals against the decision of the Returning Officer rejecting or accepting the nomination papers. The last date for withdrawal of candidature and publication of a revised list of candidates will be 19th April while the election symbol to the contesting candidates will be issued on 20th April.

Supreme Court asked the federal government to provide twenty-one billion rupees to the election commission for the elections. The court said the caretaker government must provide a plan ensuring sufficient personnel for election duty and security purposes for holding the elections. It said the federal government should aid the commission in the conduct of the elections.