Qadri said due to some administrative issues the ECP was unable to announce the election schedule earlier. PHOTO: FILE
Lahore High Court Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial ruled on Monday that the court cannot interfere in the matters of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
ECP could decide whether by-elections in PP-239 (Vehari) should be held or not, he ruled.
The CJ also disposed of the petition challenging the election in the constituency scheduled on Feb 18.
Earlier, SM Tariq Qadri, the Punjab election commissioner submitted in his written reply that constitution does not envisage by-election if there is a vacancy in the assembly 119-days or less before the expiry of its term.
However, he said, the seat fell vacant 131 days before the completion of provincial assembly’s tenure on the demise of MPA Sardar Muhammad Khan on Nov 27 last year.
Qadri said due to some administrative issues the ECP was unable to announce the election schedule earlier.
Muhammad Ashfaq, a resident of the constituency, had filed the petition contending that the by-election could not be held.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 12th, 2013.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ