ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has declared the decision of the Balochistan High Court to change the constituencies null and void.
The three-member bench headed by Justice Sardar Tariq Masood made the decision on a petition against the constituencies of two provincial seats in Quetta.
The Supreme Court said in its decision that objections cannot be raised on constituencies after the election schedule is released. The court also approved the appeal of the Election Commission.
Justice Athar Minallah remarked that the Election Commission’s biggest test is to ensure transparent elections on February 8. When the election schedule is released, everything comes to a standstill. If a decision is given on this petition, a flood of petitions will come to the Supreme Court. How can the High Court use the power given to the Election Commission by law?
Justice Mansoor Ali Shah said that all cases related to constituencies have become ineffective after the election schedule is released. The entire electoral process cannot be affected in order to give relief to an individual. We need to draw a line and set a limit in this regard.
Acting Chief Justice Sardar Tariq Masood remarked that he did not understand why everyone wants the elections to be delayed. Let the elections be held.
The Balochistan High Court had changed the constituencies of two provincial seats in Balochistan, Sherani and Zhob, by the Election Commission. The Election Commission filed an appeal in the Supreme Court against the decision of the High Court.
(Islamabad51_Newsdesk)
