The Supreme Court on Wednesday accepted the plea of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for extension in Local Bodies (LB) polls dates in provinces and Cantonment areas with an observation that the ECP and provincial governments had shown their commitment to Constitution.
A three-member bench led by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry disposed of the matter after taking up the ECP's letter that sought extension in time for holding LB polls in provinces and cantonment areas. In its five-page verdict, the bench said that Syed Sher Afgan, Additional Secretary of the ECP, had submitted a letter to the apex court's registrar with a revised schedule regarding LB polls in the country.
The ECP pointed out in the letter that on account of certain practical and technical difficulties, the Commission had proposed the revised poll program/dates for holding LB elections in the provinces and in the cantonment areas without any hassle. Through the letter, the ECP proposed January 30, 2014 as polling date in Punjab and January 18, 2014 in Sindh. For the KPK and Cantonment areas, the ECP, however, did not stipulate any exact date, but made it clear that elections would be held there in February whereas, there was no change in the LB election dates in Balochistan which would be held on December 7.
Regarding the ECP-proposed elections schedule, the bench said, "we are of the opinion that the ECP and the provincial governments have shown their commitment to the Constitution, thus, without making further observation, instant matter stands disposed of". The court also observed that as per the provisions of Articles 32 and 140A of Constitution, as repeatedly emphasised, the Federal government was duty-bound to hold elections in the Federal Area and provinces to ensure participation of the general public in the administrative, political and financial affairs of the government by establishing local bodies system.
"As far as sub Article 2 of Article 140A is concerned, it casts a duty upon the ECP to hold the elections of local bodies in terms of sub Article 140A (1)... therefore, it should always remain prepared to meet the challenge and whenever any request by the Federal or the Provincial Government is made for holding elections, the ECP should comply with the same at the earliest," the verdict ruled.
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