ECP summons ‘consultative’ meeting after SC’s Punjab poll verdict

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has summoned a ‘consultative meeting’ tomorrow following the Supreme Court’s (SC) verdict on Punjab elections, declaring the watchdog’s order ‘unconstitutional’, ARY News reported on Tuesday.

According to details, the electoral watchdog summoned the meeting tomorrow at 11am to consult over the Supreme Court’s (SC) verdict on Punjab elections, declaring the watchdog’s order to postpone polls of the Punjab Assembly till Oct 8 “unconstitutional”.

The meeting would be chaired by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Raja Sultan.

Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday declared the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) March 22 order on Punjab elections null and void.

A three-member bench — comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhtar — announced the reserved verdict on the PTI’s petition challenging the Election Commission of Pakistan’s order postponing the elections in Punjab and KP.

The Supreme Court declared the ECP’s order postponing the provincial assembly elections until October 8 as “unconstitutional” and ordered the government to release Rs21 billion funds for elections in Punjab by April 10.

The top court directed to conduct Punjab polls on May 14. The SC further directed the caretaker government in Punjab to assist the commission. “The court will issue an appropriate order in case of non-provision of funds,” the verdict read.

Postponement of elections

Earlier in March, Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced to delay of the Punjab by-elections which were scheduled to be held on April 30.

The ECP withdrew the Punjab Election Program notification issued on March 8 and decided to postpone the Punjab election and announced October 08 as the new date for elections in Punjab.

Read More: ECP announces date for KP elections

The ECP spokesman said that the president Dr Arif Alvi also been informed about the postponement of elections in Punjab, adding that the new election schedule will release soon.