Changes in nomination papers: ECP to approach Supreme Court over LHC verdict
ECP officials have clarified that the general elections 2018 will be held on July 25.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Saturday has decided to approach Supreme Court (SC) for guidance over Lahore High Court (LHC) decision to annul the nomination papers prepared by the parliament.
Addressing a press conference, ECP officials have clarified that the general elections 2018 will be held on July 25 at every cost.
Meanwhile, former speaker of National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq has also announced to move SC against the verdict, saying that the amendments were carried out with the consent of all the parties. ECP making new forms can delay the elections, he added.
Sadiq further demanded to not change the date of the general polls.
Earlier, the LHC judge Justice Ayesha A Malik pronounced the reserved verdict on the constitutional petition filed by law expert Saad Rasool on the behalf of Dunya News anchor Habib Akram, challenging the Section 60, 110 and 137 of the Election Act 2018.
The judge while declaring null and void the nomination papers prepared by the parliament had ordered the ECP to prepare new nomination papers.
Afterwards, ECP had summoned an emergency meeting to make changes in the Form-A and Form-B in the backdrop of LHC’s judgment whereas it had also barred Returning Officers (ROs) from issuing nomination papers.
In the papers prepared by the parliamentarians, column about candidates’ details regarding loans, legal cases and dual nationality was skipped while space to write tax details for three years was also removed.
Columns related to education, occupation and defaulter were also omitted as the form will only give declaration to the candidates under Article 62, 63 whereas they will also provide oath of Khatm-e-Nabowwat (PBUH).
