SC announces Punjab elections to be held on May 14

Islamabad: Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) announces the elections of Punjab Assembly to be held on May 14, GNN reported.

The decision was announced by a three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhtar.

According to details, SC strike down the decision of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) of not holding elections within 90 days. It termed ECP’s March 22 decision as non-constitutional.

The verdict stated that the unlawful decision of ECP wasted 13 days, therefore there election program should be postponed for 13 days.

The elections in Punjab should be held on May 14.

The apex court ordered federal government to submit the report to Supreme Court of budget Rs21 billion till April 10. The nomination papers should be submitted by April 10 and the final list will be announced on April 19.

Constitution and law does not allow to extend the date of elections. Transparent elections should be conducted in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Supreme Court started the proceedings on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) petition on March 27. A day earlier it had reserved the verdict, stating that the decision would be announced on April 4.

Earlier, ECP set the date for elections in Punjab on April 30. However later it postponed the date to October 8 in both provinces.

Initially, a five-member bench was formed, comprising CJP Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Justice Munib Akhtar, and Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan.

On March 30, Justice Amin recused himself from the proceedings, citing a judgment from a three-member bench that halted proceedings under Article 184(3) of the Constitution.

Then, the bench was cut down to four members — CJP Umar, Justice Jamal, Justice Munib, and Justice Ahsan.

After a day on March 31, Justice Jamal also excused himself stating that since he was not consulted before the formation of the bench, he would like to withdraw himself.

A new three-member bench was formed comprising CJP Bandial, Justice Akhtar, and Justice Ahsan to hear the case.