Grassroots representation: LHC reserves verdict on PTI, PAP petitions

Petitioners say secret balloting was pivotal for all kinds of polls

LAHORE: Lahore High Court on Friday reserved judgment on various petitions seeking directions on election of minorities, women, youngsters and farmers on reserved seats in local government polls and challenging their phased conduct across the Punjab.

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), Pakistan Awami Party (PAP) among others had filed petitions in this regard. The counsel for the petitioners told the court that secret balloting was pivotal for all kinds of polls according to Article 140 of the Constitution.

They said the provincial government had introduced new legislation on local government elections that provided for indirect election to seats reserved for minorities, youngsters, women and farmers.

They said this was unconstitutional. The counsel said Section 13 of the Punjab Local Government Act 2015 contradicted the Constitution and violated citizens’ fundamental rights.

They requested the court to set aside Section 13 of the Act and direct the government to hold secret balloting for all kinds of elections including the local government elections.

Law officials countered their arguments by positing that petitions against the law were not maintainable. They asked the court to dismiss the petitions. Justice Ijazul Ahsan reserved judgment on the petitions following the conclusion of arguments.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 10^th, 2015.