Confusion reigns: Election commission continues work despite SHC verdict

Returning officers are carrying out the scrutiny of the nomination forms as per schedule.


Our Correspondent January 02, 2014
Returning officers are carrying out the scrutiny of the nomination forms as per schedule. PHOTO: FILE

KARACHI: The provincial election commission continues to scrutinise nomination papers of candidates for the local bodies elections despite the Sindh High Court’s decision to strike the delimitations of union councils as well as the third amendment to the local government law.

All six deputy commissioners, who are performing the role of district returning officers (DRO) for their respective districts, continued inspecting the forms of the aspirants on Thursday. “Over 12,905 nomination forms have been submitted in six districts of Karachi. The scrutiny process will continue till January 5 and we will not stop the work until we receive orders from the election commission,” local government director Rubina Asif told The Express Tribune.



The scrutiny of the nomination papers is being conducted on the basis of the ‘manual’ issued to the returning and assistant returning officers by the election commission. District South deputy commissioner Dr Saifur Rehman explained that the returning officers had the right to reject the forms of those candidates who did not fulfill the criteria defined in the election manual.

“The nomination forms of candidates working as government employees and defaulters of any utility company or bank will be rejected,” he said, adding that people who work as contractors or those involved in any criminal activities were strictly prohibited from contesting the elections. “Every contestant has to prove to be a voter of the same constituency where he or she intends to contest the polls.”

On the one hand, there is the court’s decision, while on the other, the election commission continues to carry out the work according to the schedule. This has baffled the candidates contesting the elections.

According to the schedule, the next activity will be appeals against the rejection or acceptance of the nomination papers, which may be submitted on January 6 and January 7. These appeals will be disposed of between January 8 and January 11.  The last date for withdrawal of candidature is January 12 while the final list will be published on January 13. The polls are scheduled to be held on January 18.

Challenge in court

Meanwhile, the Sindh government and leaders of the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party have announced to challenge the SHC verdict in the apex court. The provincial education minister, Nisar Ahmed Khuhro on Thursday demanded the election commission to issue a new schedule for the polls to give more time for the government to conduct fresh delimitations. “The recent court decision has created confusion by declaring the delimitation of union councils unconstitutional. Those union councils where people have submitted their nomination forms have now become null and void. In this situation, the elections are not possible,” he said, while speaking to the media.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 3rd, 2014.

COMMENTS

Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ