News Desk
The Supreme Court of Pakistan has announced on Monday that the Senate elections will be held under the constitution and the law, saying that polls for the upper house of parliament will be held through secret ballot, according to Article 226 of the Constitution.
According to media reports, a five-member larger bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed gave its opinion with 4-1 majority on Presidential reference regarding the Senate elections. However, Justice Yahya Afridi dissented with the majority opinion.
Supreme Court has said in its short opinion that it is the duty of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to ensure that the election is conducted honestly, justly, fairly and in accordance with law and that corrupt practices are guarded against.
“ECP is required to take all available measures including utilizing technologies to fulfil the solemn constitutional duty to ensure that the election is conducted honesty, justly, fairly and in accordance with law and that corrupt practices are guarded against,” the court said, adding that all the executive authorities in the Federation and Provinces are obliged to assist the Commissioner and the ECP in discharge of his or their functions.
