The Pakistani Election Commission under fire as Supreme Court questions failure to hold provincial elections
The Supreme Court of Pakistan has expressed bewilderment over the Election Commission of Pakistan’s handling of provincial elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. As per the Election Act 2017 and Constitution, the ECP is required to conduct elections within 90 days of the dissolution of the provincial assemblies. However, with the clock ticking, no dates for elections have been announced, leading to several court cases, including in the Lahore High Court and Peshawar High Court, against the ECP.
During a recent court hearing, Justice Munib Akhtar lamented that the ECP’s sole responsibility was to hold elections, yet it was asking for more time to perform its duties. The Islamabad High Court Bar Association also sought the intervention of the top court in a petition for an electoral schedule, but the request was declined, as the matter had already been referred to Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial.
Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja has also expressed frustration, citing impediments to holding transparent elections and alleging that he was being prevented from exercising his powers and fulfilling constitutional requirements. However, Justice Ijazul Ahsan noted that, according to the Constitution, elections should have been held within the 90-day window.
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