ECP braces for election in two provinces

Accepting the Supreme Court’s verdict, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday started its preparations for holding polls in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

During a huddle presided over by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja, it was decided the ECP would letters to the president and governor for consultations on Thursday (today), according to sources.

The sources added that it was also decided that the schedule for the polls in Punjab and K-P would be based on 54 days.

Earlier in the day, the apex court, in a 3-2 verdict, ordered that elections in Punjab and K-P should be held in the next 90 days.

The court also ruled that President Arif Alvi's orders on the date for elections would be binding on Punjab but not K-P.

The commission, in its meeting, decided that Article 220 of the Constitution would be used to ensure the cooperation of the institutions in conducting the polls.

The sources said the ECP had directed its wings in both the provinces to step up their preparations for holding the polls.

Also read: Supreme Court orders elections in Punjab, K-P in 90 days

They added that the commission would make significant decisions on the implementation of the SC orders on Thursday.

Elections are likely to be held in both the provinces after Eidul Fitr.

The ECP meeting was attended by the commission’s members, secretary, and the relevant officials of its wings.

The law wing of the commission briefed the participants about the top court’s orders.

The commission has also sought applications from the political parties to allot them their electoral symbols for the polls in the two provinces.

The applications have been sought till March 8 under Section 216 of the Elections Act, 2017.

The ECP said the political parties could submit their applications through their representatives.

It added that applications submitted after the deadline would not be entertained.

It would be mandatory to submit an application with an affidavit.

Also read: PTI suspends 'Jail Bharo' movement following SC judgment

The ECP has also permitted the caretaker government of K-P to issue directions for transfers and postings of officers up to grade-16.

The commission has conveyed its decision to the K-P caretaker set-up.

The caretaker government had sought the commission’s permission for this purpose.

Separately, the commission has set the date of March 7 to hear PTI Chairman Imran Khan's case related to him leading the party.

The ECP has issued notices to Imran and other parties in the case.

The commission has also set the date of March 14 to hear the case of the PML-N’s intraparty polls.

The electoral watchdog has issued notices to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who is also the PML-N chief, as well federal minister Ahsan Iqbal for this purpose.