SC suspends LHC orders on training of DROs, ROs, clears path for elections on Feb 8

Islamabad: The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) on Friday suspended the orders of the Lahore High Court (LHC) regarding training of the training of district returning officers (DROs) and returning officers (ROs).

A SC bench headed by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa passed the order while hearing the matter late on Friday night. Justice Sardar Tariq Masood and Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah were the other membes of the bench. 

The decision cleared the path for the elections to proceed on February 8, aligning with the significant demand from political stakeholders and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

The top court also directed the ECP to announce election schedule today.

CJP Isa expressed seriuos concerns over delay in announcemnet of the scheule, observing that there should be no delay. The ECP also assured the top court to withdraw its notification.  The apex court also barred the LHC from further proceedings on the plea of Umair Niazi. 

The LHC's decision added complexity to the arrangements for the February 8 general elections in 2024, as it suspended the electoral body's notification involving ROs and DROs from the bureaucracy.

To ensure timely elections, the election commission filed a plea in the Supreme Court, with major political parties, including Pakistan Peoples Party, Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid, Balochistan Awami Party, and Awami National Party, joining the case.

The decision to file the plea was made after Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja and Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Qazi Faez Isa discussed the potential implications of the LHC decision.

The court, aiming to uphold the 54-day period — the minimum interval between the announcement of election schedules and the actual polls — may make a decision either today or tomorrow, as the ECP needs to announce the poll schedule by December 17 for the elections on the designated date, according to sources.

The representatives from PPP, PML-N, and PTI have expressed their demand for elections on February 8. PPP spokesperson Faisal Karim Kundi emphasized his party's position, stating that the Supreme Court should annul the LHC's stay, and the election schedule should be released promptly.

PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb stressed the importance of holding elections on February 8, blaming PTI for the uncertainty. PTI Senator Barrister Ali Zafar stated that his party supports elections on Feb 8 and may reconsider its plea in the LHC, emphasizing the preference for ROs and DROs appointed from the judiciary.