GOVERNOR BALIGH SEEKS ‘CLARITY’ FROM LHC ON ROLE IN ELECTION DATE CONSULTATION

Lahore Staff Report

THE governor of Punjab, Baligh urRehman, is seeking clarity on his role in the consultative process for the election date in the province and has decided to approach the Lahore High Court (LHC) for interpretation.

The development follows a meeting with an Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) delegation, which was ordered by the Chief Election Commissioner, Sikander Sultan Raja.

The ECP had requested the meeting to consult on the date for the general elections for the Punjab Assembly, following a verdict issued by the high court last week.

On February 10, the court ordered the electoral watchdog to hold elections in the province within 90 days of the dissolution of the assembly.

“The ECP is directed to immediately announce the date of election of the provincial assembly of Punjab with the notification specifying reasons, after consultation with the governor of Punjab, being the constitutional head of the province, to ensure that the elections are held not later than ninety days as per the mandate of the Constitution,” the order had read.

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) dis - banded 397-member Punjab Assembly in January after former prime minister Imran Khan decided to step away from the “corrupt political system” and force snap elections by resigning from the provincial legislatures in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Khan has also banked on his popularity and wide grassroot support to force elections, and has since his ouster staged rallies across the country, calling for the vote.

According to the Constitution, the assembly was automatically disbanded 48 hours after the chief minister called for it to be dissolved. The Constitution also stipulates that elections must be held within 90 days.