SC directs ECP to hear all parties regarding issuance of schedule of second phase of LG polls in KP
ISLAMABAD, Feb 14 (SABAH): The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Monday directed the Election Commission Pakistan (ECP) to hear views of all parties in the case, including the KP government regarding the issuance of the schedule of the second phase of the local government polls. The court has disposed of the appeal filed against the suspension of second phase schedule of LG government polls in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by the Peshawar High Court Abbottabad bench.
“The Election Commission should hear arguments of all parties and issue appropriate orders tomorrow,” said the apex court and added that the election body should listen to all arguments on Feb 15.
Three-member bench of the apex court headed by Justice Ijzul Ahsan, Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Sayyed Mazahr Ali Akbar Naqvi heard the case.
During the hearing, KP Advocate General told the court that no consultation was made on this issue, therefore, the elections should be postponed. The apex court forwarded the case to Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and directed to hold proceedings and conclude the matter.
SC has also ordered both the parties to present their stance before the commission. The case has become ineffective after issuance of new schedule, Justice Sayyed Muzahar Ali Akbar Naqvi remarked.
Meanwhile, Justice Ijazul Ahsan said that the court will not set wrong example by suspending the polls. The court raised the question before the provincial government that if the schedule is to be issued by SC then the whether we should close down the ECP? He remarked that the issuance of the election schedule and holding election is the responsibility of the Election Commission of Pakistan.
The counsel of the Election Commission informed the court that the KP government itself had given the date of 25th March. Upon this Justice Ijazul Ahsan remarked that the government is fleeing after giving the schedule, adding that why SC should interfere in the matters of Election Commission. Justice Ijazul Ahsan while addressing the counsel of provincial government Mudassar Abbasi remarked that no-confidence should not be done on the institutions for personal interests.
Earlier, ECP had issued a new schedule for second phase of KP LG polls.
The Supreme Court suspended the order of the Peshawar High Court to postpone the second phase of local body elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, after which the Election Commission released new schedule.
The commission had directed the districts of South Waziristan, North Waziristan, Karam, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Kohistan, Swat, Shangla and Dir to be included in the second phase of local body elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.