LHC reserves ruling on symbols petitions

The Lahore High Court (LHC) has reserved its decision on the maintainability of a petition seeking to strike down a legal provision that allows authorities to withdraw election symbols from political parties, with the petitioner arguing it violates fundamental constitutional rights.

Justice Ahmad Nadeem Arshad on Wednesday heard the petition filed by Salma Bibi, who contended that Section 215(5) of the Election Act conflicts with the Constitution.

The plea maintained that Article 17 of the Constitution clearly guarantees the right to form political parties and to participate in elections, and that taking away an election symbol effectively strips a party of its political identity.

The petitioner argued that depriving a political party of its symbol is tantamount to denying it meaningful participation in the electoral process. It further asserted that the ECP does not have judicial authority to politically disqualify a party by withdrawing its symbol.

It urged the court to declare the impugned provision null and void for being unconstitutional. After hearing initial arguments, the LHC reserved its ruling on the petition's maintainability.