KARACHI: On Tuesday, the Election Commission of Pakistan raised significant concerns regarding the scheduled Punjab Assembly elections on May 14. They cautioned that if the prescribed polling itinerary is not adhered to, there is a risk of turmoil and disorder erupting throughout the nation.
A three-judge bench, led by the chief justice and comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Ijazul Ahsan, on April 4 declared as “unconstitutional” the Election Commission of Pakistan’s decision to postpone the election for the Punjab Assembly to October 8 and ordered it to hold polls in the province on May 14.
The Election Commission of Pakistan, the Ministry of Finance and the central bank on Tuesday, while complying with the Supreme Court’s orders regarding the provision of funds for elections in Punjab, submitted their respective reports on the release of funds.
All reports have been sent to the apex court registrar’s office and will be sent to the concerned judges in their chambers.
According to the communiqué issued by the electoral watchdog, the state bank has failed to transfer the court-mandated funds of Rs21 billion by April 17.
In its report submitted to the Supreme Court in the same case earlier Tuesday, the electoral body said it will not be possible for the ECP to ensure “honest, just, fair and peaceful election to the provincial Assembly of Punjab” in view of the charged political environment and reports by relevant stake holders including security agencies and the provincial government.
(Islamabad51-Newsdesk)
