PTI moves SC for early polls

Amended plea contends polls in Punjab, K-P should be held according to 2017 census

ISLAMABAD:

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has filed an amended petition in the Supreme Court, seeking the court’s intervention to ensure that the general elections are held within 90 days of the dissolution of the National Assembly, as per the Constitution.

The petition contended that the elections in Punjab could not be held as ordered by the Supreme Court on May 14. The petition also challenged the approval of the new population census by the Council of Common Interests (CCI) on August 5, claiming that it was done in an unconstitutional manner with two unelected chief ministers in attendance.

It further argued that the amendment in Section 57 of the Election Act has been violation of Articles 48, 58, 105, 112 and 224. The elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) should be held according to the 2017 population census, the amended plea emphasised.

However, the elections could not be held in Punjab due to the delay in issuing the notification by the governor. Similarly, the governor of K-P has not given any date for the election in the province.

Read also: PTI seeks to build bridges ahead of elections

“The president dissolved the National Assembly on the advice of the prime minister thus he has been bound to give the election date,” the PTI petition said.

“According to the Supreme Court judgment and the constitution, elections should be held by November 07, 2023. The President suggested November 06 for polls”.

It also lamented that the president invited the election commission for consultation on August 23, but the ECP refused. “The electoral body argued that announcement of the election date is the mandate of the election commission”.

“The Supreme Court should fix the date of the national and provincial assemblies,” the petition added.