ECP cancels BHC order on transfer of ROs

The commission has restricted the postings and transfers without its permission

ISLAMABAD: Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday cancelled an order issued by Balochistan High Court regarding transfers of Returning Officers.

“In pursuance of article 218 (3) of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan read with sections 4, 51, 54 and 55of the Elections Act 2017, ECP is pleased to cancel the Notification No 2021/VI M-46 dated the 12 June, 2018 issued by the High Court of Balochistan, Quetta whereby the following judicial officers were appointed as Returning Officers transferred without intimation to the Election Commission” reads a notification issued by ECP.

Balochistan High Court had transferred two judicial magistrates who have been appointed by ECP as ROs for two provincial assembly constituencies.

Asadullah a judicial magistrate was appointed RO for PB-10 Dera Bugti while Shah Baran another judicial magistrate was appointed for PB-16 Jhal Magsi cum Kachhi constituencies. BHC had mutually transferred both the officials.

ECP officials said that they have put a ban on postings and transfers without permission. Moreover, the commission had received lists of judicial officers from chief justices of respective high courts for appointment as returning officers.

The commission has allowed caretaker governments to make short term appointments. The commission on April 1 had imposed ban on recruitments across the country except those whose test/interviews had been conducted already.

Moreover, ECP also barred the federal and provincial governments from approving new development schemes.

Caretaker governments have now been now allowed to make short term appointments but they are still barred from making promotions or major appointments in government departments.