Court refuses to delay elections in Islamabad
ELECTION BODY HAD SOUGHT TO POSTPONE TODAY’S POLLS
The Islamabad High Court yesterday directed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to hold local government elections in Islamabad today as scheduled.
The verdict, announced only 15 hours prior to elections, came as a surprise to many, particularly the ECP. The court set aside the ECP notification of December 27 regarding postponement of the polls.
The verdict was announced by Justice Arbab Mohammad Tahir who was hearing identical petitions filed by Imran Khan’s party Pakistan Tehreeke-Insaf (PTI) and the Jamaat-iIslami against the ECP’s decision to postpone the polls.
Stick to schedule
“The Election Commission of Pakistan is directed to hold the local government elections in the Islamabad Capital Territory as per the schedule already announced,” it said.
The court also directed all the federal government departments to provide assistance to the electoral body.
The ECP had postponed the polls on Tuesday “for the time being” at the eleventh hour, frustrating thousands of contestants and their supporters.
After the court’s verdict, an emergency meeting was called in the ECP to review necessary arrangements for today’s polls and streamline the procedure like distribution of ballot papers, sending the election staff to various polling stations, deputing the law-enforcement agencies for smooth polling on election day. However, according to an official of the ECP, it was not possible for the the commission to hold elections on a notice of a few hours.
Election body mulls appeal
“Mobilisation of staff, dispatch of election material and deployment of security personnel are the things that cannot be managed a few hours before the election,” he said, adding the ECP was considering filing an intra-court appeal against the single bench’s decision. Another option is to seek time, maybe one week, for holding of general elections, he said.
Until now, millions of rupees have been spent, and we will not allow the nation’s tax money to be wasted.”
Realistic timeline
A day earlier, while hearing the plea, the court had directed the ECP to submit a “realistic” timeline for holding local government polls in the capital.
The ECP’s official told the court that funds had been spent on the printing of ballot papers, among other things required for elections.
“Until now, millions of rupees have been spent, and we will not allow the nation’s tax money to be wasted,” Justice Tahir stressed. The judge had warned that the Cabinet and Prime Minister would have to pay for the expenses “wasted” on the electoral process in case the elections were delayed.
Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf Ali had supported the court’s view and offered his assistance in recovering the money from the federal cabinet.
Justice Arbab Mohammad Tahir | Islamabad High Court