SC opinion not a victory or defeat for anyone: Marriyum Aurangzeb

Dunya News

Senate elections to be held through secret ballot under Article 226: SC

LAHORE (Dunya News) – Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb has said that opinion of Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) on presidential reference on open Senate vote is not a victory or defeat for anyone.

While reacting to apex court’s opinion, she said that it is responsibility of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to make polls transparent and it is job of the parliament to amend constitution.

Talking exclusively with Dunya News, the PML-N spokeswoman said that the government is trying to twist the SC’s verdict. PML-N supported open ballot for election of the Chairman Senate but on that occasion, PTI stole votes and Imran Khan was celebrating the win.

On the other hand, the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP), in its opinion on the presidential reference on open Senate vote has said that Senate elections will be held through secret ballot.

The majority opinion (4-1) of the apex court, stated that elections of the upper house of the parliament are held under the article 226 of the constitution of Pakistan.

The apex court has directed Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to use latest technologies to stop corrupt practices and emphasized that all institutions were bound to follow the ECP.

The top court, however, also said that the secrecy of the ballot papers was "not absolute".