Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan, while pronouncing the verdict in the case related to the postponement of the elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, annulled the decision of the Election Commission on October 8.
According to the verdict, the Election Commission has no authority to postpone the elections beyond 90 days.
The court decision said that the postponement of the elections delayed the schedule by 13 days, the elections in Punjab will be held on May 14, while the nomination papers will be submitted by April 10. On April 17, the Election Tribunal will decide on the appeals.
In the decision, it was declared that the Election Commission exceeded its jurisdiction by giving the date of the elections on October 8, the decision of the Election Commission on March 22 is declared unconstitutional and the decision of the President of the country on the given date is restored. The constitution and law do not give the power to postpone the date of elections.
Earlier, the Ministry of Defense submitted a written report in a sealed envelope to the Supreme Court on a court order, which included details regarding the deployment of forces in the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa elections. The Supreme Court was to deliver its verdict after examining the Defense Ministry report, which included detailed details.
