Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Following the apex court verdict, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday decided to implement the Supreme Court’s (SC) decision to hold elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Punjab within 90 days.
There are chances the commission will hold the elections in Punjab and KP provinces after Eid-ul-Fitr.
In this respect, ECP has decided to write a letter to the federal Interior Ministry for providing security, and another to the federal government seeking funds.
The commission will write to the Finance Ministry and demand PKR 30 billion immediately for holding elections in both provinces.
ECP will issue these directives to the federal government departments under Article 220 of the Constitution.
Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court had directed to hold elections in KP and Punjab in 90 days as it announced its reserved verdict in the suo motu case over a delay in the announcement of a date for polls in the provinces.
Consequently, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja chaired a meeting to discuss the Supreme Court verdict.
ECP decides to implement SC’s verdict
The commission decided to implement the apex court’s order.
Shortly after, the commission launched preparations for holding the electoral exercise in both provinces.
ECP decided to soon write a letter to President Arif Alvi and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Haji Ghulam Ali to finalize a date for elections.
The caretaker government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been directed to make necessary postings and transfers of officers up to Grade 16 in this regard.
Local media reported that the electoral schedule for both Punjab and KP provinces would spread over 54 days.
ECP will also invoke Article 220 over noncompliance from other institutions in holding the elections.
The commission will also decide on a strategy in a meeting called for Thursday to implement the Supreme Court order.
