ISLAMABAD: Following the decision of the Supreme Court of Pakistan against the postponement of elections in Punjab, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has issued a revised schedule. The polling in general elections for Punjab Assembly will now be held on May 14.
The ECP issued a notification with partial modification in the election schedule. According to the new program, the last date for filing appeals against decisions of the returning officers pertaining to nomination papers will be April 10.
The appellate tribunal will resolve all applications latest by April 17. Following this, the ECP will publish the revised list of candidates the next day.
The last date for withdrawal of nomination for candidature and publication of the revised list of candidates has been set as April 19, while the candidates will be given election symbols on April 20.
A consultative meeting was held under the chair of Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja to deliberate upon the Supreme Court’s decision regarding the elections decided to hold polls as per the direction of the top court.
The participants in the meeting also decided to consult the Punjab government for administrative and security matters.
The court nullified the electoral watchdog’s decision about the delay in holding polls in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Tuesday.
Supreme Court orders Punjab polls on May 14
The Supreme Court of Pakistan declared the order of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) regarding the delay in elections in Punjab null and void, ordering polls on May 14.
The court ruled that the ECP acted unconstitutional by delaying the polls. The court order stated that 13 days were wasted due to the ECP’s unlawful decision.
The apex court also directed the caretaker government in Punjab to assist the ECP and instructed the ECP to inform the court if the government refused to do so.
The order further stated that candidates would be able to submit nomination papers from April 10, the ECP would publish the list of candidates on April 19, and electoral symbols would be issued by April 20.
The court also directed the government to release Rs 21 billion for elections in Punjab by April 10 and told the ECP to submit a report on the matter in court the same day. The court will issue an appropriate order in the case of non-provision of funds.
The revised schedule for the Punjab elections has now been issued in compliance with the Supreme Court’s verdict.
