The Supreme Court of Pakistan decided to intervene in the affairs of the Election Commission

The Pakistan Election Commission (CEC) decision to transfer the police chief from Lahore (the capital of Punjab province) was rejected by Pakistan’s Supreme Court, referring the case to an expanded panel, the Daily Times reported on 18th of February.

A three-judge panel of the Supreme Court, headed by Iyyaz-ul-Ahsan, is reported to have considered a complaint lodged by Lahore Police Chief Ghulam Mahmood Dogar against his transfer to the capital region by the Court’s decision. of the Federal Service (FST). .

During the consideration of the case, Judge Ahsan raised a series of questions about the activities of Pakistan CEC Chairman Sikandar Sultan Raja and requested documents regarding the transfer of Dogar. In particular, it turned out that the order to transfer the police chief was issued by oral order of the head of the CEC in December, while the written order was received only in January and approved in February.

“Are federal agencies working with verbal orders? Can constitutional bodies issue orders verbally? asked Judge Akhtar.

He also stated that the head of the CEC does not replace the CEC itself, so his personal orders should not be executed without the confirmation of the entire commission. In addition, the judge pointed out to the CEC representative present in the room that the main function of the commission is the organization and conduct of elections.

The judge emphasized that he had watched with great caution the large reshuffles at the CEC office in Punjab, which were taking place on a regular basis. “verbal command” head of the commission on January 26.

Recall that after the dissolution of the Punjab Parliament, organized by allies of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan in mid-January, new provincial assembly elections must, according to Pakistan’s constitution, be held within 90 days.

Despite the fact that more than 30 days have passed since the dissolution, the date of the next elections is unknown, and the Pakistan CEC is, by all accounts, in no hurry to announce the timing of the elections, and a series of demands have already been filed against him in court on this issue.

Source: Rossa Primavera