The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued notice to Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), seeking its opinion whether elections in Cantonment Board areas could be held. Heading a three-judge bench led by the Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry comprising Justice Gulzar Ahmed and Justice Azmat Saeed was hearing a petition regarding elections in Cantonment Board areas filed by Raja Rab Nawaz.
The petitioner urged the court to direct the concerned authorities for elections in the Cantonment areas of Quetta in accordance with Local Government Act 1924. The law was replaced with the Local Government Ordinance, 2001, but it could not be implemented in the Cantonment Board areas.
The Chief Justice inquired why in 14 years no elections were held in the Cantonment Board areas, adding that "it is a constitutional obligation." Commander Shahbaz, Director (Legal) Ministry of Defence, informed the bench that they had moved a summary to the Prime Minister, which he said would be forwarded to the ECP for holding elections after approval of the premier. He further said that they were granted extension by the competent authority till May 5, 2013 regarding continuation of the current set-up.
Justice Sh Azmat Saeed remarked that the civilians should be governed though a civilian system and raised a question about the justification behind such a long delay as elections in Cantonment Baord areas were not held since 1999. The hearing was adjourned for two weeks.
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