PTI to start process of awarding tickets for Punjab elections

LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Wednesday decided to kickstart process of awarding tickets to candidates for upcoming elections in Punjab following the Supreme Court’s (SC) verdict in polls delay case, declaring the watchdog’s order ‘unconstitutional’, ARY News reported.

The decision was taken during PTI’s central leaders meeting, chaired by former prime minister and party chairman Imran Khan. The meeting was attended by PTI secretary-general Asad Umar, senior vice president Fawad Chaudhry, Ijaz Chaudry and others.

The meeting decided to start interviews of candidates for the general elections in Punjab from tomorrow. The meeting also agreed to complete the process within one week.

The participants of the meeting also paid tribute to lawyers for their ‘legal services’ for the rule of law and protection of the constitution.

Meanwhile, the party also reviewed the country’s overall political and economic situation. They also consulted over the schedule of public gatherings/rallies ahead of the polls.

In a statement, Asad Umar said that Imran Khan will launch the election campaign after Eid-ul-Fitr. He also lambasted the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) for its campaign against judiciary.

A day earlier, 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.