The Supreme Court Bar Association on Thursday condemned the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) move to postpone the elections in Punjab, describing it as \u201can absolute abrogation of the Constitution.\u201dA day earlier, the ECP delayed the election in Punjab until October 8 on the grounds that it could not conduct transparent and peaceful polls on the scheduled date of April 30.
\nIn a statement, SCBA President Abid S Zuberi and Secretary Muqtedir Akthar Shabbir maintained that the commission could not change the date for elections \u201cunder any circumstances whatsoever\u201d.
\nThey pointed out that the apex court, through its order dated March 1, had made it \u201cinexplicably clear that elections had to be held within the 90-day time period stipulated under Article 224 (2) of the Constitution\u201d.
\n\u201cHowever, it is unfortunate that the Election Commission has acted in such blatant disregard of its constitutional mandate and the order of the Supreme Court,\u201d the statement added.
\nIt further read that there was no provision in the Election Act or the Constitution that allowed the ECP to conduct polls beyond the 90-day time period stipulated under Article 224 (2).
\n\u201cIt is truly unfortunate to see that the Election Commission has grossly misinterpreted the Constitution, the law and order of the Supreme Court,\u201d it stated.
\nThe SCBA claimed that the commission had \u201cacted in excess of jurisdiction and breached its constitutional mandate\u201d.
\nThe statement further read that it was also pertinent to highlight that the only constitutional function of the caretaker government was to ensure the conduct of fair and transparent elections.
\nIt added that even the caretaker government was bound by the time period stipulated under Article 224 (2).
\n\u201cTherefore, the caretaker government cannot function beyond the 90-day period stipulated under Article 224 (2),\u201d it continued.
\nThe SCBA argued that such violation of the Constitution could only lead to utter chaos and anarchy in the country.
\n\u201cGiven the current political and economic crises in the country, restoration of democracy and timely elections are the need of the hour,\u201d the statement read.
\nThe association contended that the ECP, by issuing the notification dated March 22, had now opened the door to \u201cabsolute chaos and uncertainty\u201d.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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