ECP consult Punjab Governor: The Punjab Governor Baligh Ur Rehman will be consulted by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) over the date of the province’s general elections in response to a Lahore High Court order.
According to a statement, the decision to contact the governor was made at a meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja.
The province top court’s decision regarding general elections in Punjab was discussed during the high-level meeting, according to the electoral authority.
The Punjab governor has been asked to hold a meeting on February 14 to discuss the date of the general elections for the Punjab Assembly, the election commission said in a statement, adding that a “important letter” has been sent to the governor. This request was made in accordance with the honourable court’s order.
A three-person delegation led by the ECP secretary will meet with the governor before briefing the commission so that a future course of action may be decided. The delegation will also include the special secretary and director general law.
Following the judgement rendered by LHC last week, the ECP met today.
“High Court Orders Election Commission to Set Punjab Election Dates”
The ECP was mandated by the high court to make sure that elections in Punjab were held within 90 days.
Justice Jawad Hassan accepted the Pakistan Tehreek-e-(PTI) Insaf’s argument and instructed the electoral board to hold the elections within the constitutional parameters before announcing the reserved verdict.
After repeatedly requesting that the election commission announce the dates for the elections in Punjab, the PTI filed a petition with the high court. On January 14, the party dissolved the provincial assembly.
According to the ruling, “the ECP is directed to immediately announce the date of the election of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab with the notification specifying reasons, after consulting with the Governor of Punjab, who is the constitutional Head of the Province, to ensure that the elections are held not later than ninety days as per the mandate of the Constitution.”