IHC restores law that seeks to regulate mushrooming of political parties

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday allowed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to enforce its notification under clause 202 (5) of the Election Act 2017.

All political parties were issued notices by the ECP under clause 202 (5) of the new election law, asking the all political parties that want to take part in the general elections scheduled next year to provide a list of at least 2,000 members along with their signatures or thumb impression as well the copies of the National Identity Cards.

Besides, they have to deposit Rs 200,000 with the State Bank of Pakistan as enlistment fee and provide a receipt of it to the ECP.

The Section 202 (5) has been introduced into the newly passed Act to regulate mushrooming of the political parties.

The IHC bench had earlier suspended the law on the request of four parties which approached it seeking to declare the law as illegal and unconstitutional.

Pakistan Democratic Party, Sadaa-i-Pakistan, Fatahyab Democratic Party and Pakistan Muslim League (Safdar Zaman) have approached the court against the law.

On Friday, Justice Amir Farooq restored the section 202 of the Election Act 2017, allowing the electoral body to enforce it in letter and spirit.

The bench directed the federal government and other respondents to come up with their response to the petitions on next hearing.

Justice Farooq said he would decide the case after hearing all parties at the length.

Advocate Amir Sufyan, representing the petitioners, said the law in question was unconstitutional as it contradicts with Article 17 of the Constitution.

He pleaded that the Section 202 of the Act should be struck down for being illegal and unconstitutional.