- Says honest, peaceful polls don’t possible in the context of the prevailing “charged political environment’
- ISI boss chief of underpants justice on current security situation in country, the message says
ISLAMABAD: Election Committee of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday confirmed to the Supreme Court that it has not yet received 21 billion rupees from the State Bank. of Pakistan (SBP) for holding elections for the Punjab Assembly and expressed serious reservations over holding of Elections for the Punjab Assembly on May 14.
On Tuesday in its report to the Supreme Court, the ECP stated that it would not possible for ESP to ensure “free, fair and peaceful elections for the Punjab Assembly” in view of “charged political environment’ and reports from relevant stakeholders, including security agencies and provincial government.
Three judges bench – led by chief judge of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial, composed of Judges Munib Akhtar and Judge Ijazul Ahsan – on April 4 Electoral Commission declared “unconstitutional” of Pakistan (ECP) decision postpone elections for Punjab Assembly until 8 October and ordered it to hold elections in provinces on May 14.
On March 22, the ECP postponed the provincial assembly elections. in politically important province of Punjab more five months, citing a deteriorating security situation in V cash- hungry country.
ECP report presented in same case on Tuesday, said: view of detailed discussion and review of the circumstances, reports, briefings and material submitted for its consideration by provincial governments, ministries of Ministries of Defense and Internal Affairs, as well as intelligence services. of sanguine view What in the current charged political environment and the resulting unstable law and order situation, cross-border terrorism, insurgencies, potential threats to leaders and, as a result, the lack of of reliable security, non-provision of troops in static mode combined with flaw of the necessary funds will not be possible for Commission on ensure honest, just fair and peaceful elections to the provincial assembly of Punjab,” the ECP report says.
Especially if the police are not supplemented by the army and other law enforcement agencies in static mode, safety of life and property of voters, electoral personnel and public at large will at risk it added.
“… the Commission is obliged ensure what auspicious environment exists and thanks to which it is able to provide a level playing a field for competing candidates and political parties, in addition to providing reliable security for voters who are key stakeholders and voting personnel, and public on the loose.”
Election observer named deadlines of granted 90 days in Article 224(2) of The constitution is a constitutional imperative established by the Supreme Court. in order dated March 31, 2023. “However, there is another constitutional imperative in Article 218(3) of constitution obliging the Commission to organize and conduct elections in ensure that the standards of fairness, fairness and fairness completely met and not compromised on any account. In the absence of of favorable environment and reliable protection one imperative of 90 days will be in cost of another constitutional imperative that does not seem to be the intention of creators of Constitution,” the statement said. in his answer.
It goes on to say that the ECP proposed a date of October 8, 2023 as the date of voting in the main on check of ongoing intelligence operations (IBO) in areas of Kutch bordering Sindh and Punjab and these IBOs were supported by the Pakistan Army, Punjabi Rangers and Sindh Rangers.
ECP stated that it would take at least 4-5 months for the NAP to complete and let’s hope ensure that the TTP and other terrorist organizations have been effectively neutralized.
The Commission remembers how it was stated that there can be no compromise on security and safety of voters, polling station officials and public on the loose.
He argued that responsibility of election Committee of Pakistan must not only hold elections, but that such elections should be free, fair and transparent so that voters can give back votes freely, without fear and peacefully.
“Repeatedly reported that the date of the vote of October 8, 2023 as announced previously in preservation with ground realities and this also believed that if schedule not respected, it may lead to anarchy and chaos in our country, responsibility of which the ECP cannot withstand,” he warned.
Last week, the election observation service submitted a report to the Supreme Court, informing the supreme court of the government’s reluctance issue Rs 21 billion required for target.
The court subsequently ordered SBP to release the funds. worth 21 billion rupees for elections from account number I – the main component of Federal Consolidated Fund worth 1.39 trillion rupees – and send an “appropriate message” to this address effect to the Ministry of Finance until April 17.
Following the ruling of the highest court, the central bank on Monday allocated funds and requested the consent of the Ministry of Finance to publish amount.
OK of government is required release amount from FCF, while government must be approved by the National Assembly for his release.
But on the same day coalition government succeeded through na denial of your own demand for security of Rs 21 billion in additional grant for ECP for surveys in two provinces.
Speaker Raja Perwaiz Ashraf put forward a motion before house for A voice vote after being nominated by Justice Minister Azam Nazir Tarar on on behalf of of Finance Minister Ishak Dar via supplementary agenda.
Meanwhile, military officials, including head of agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), met with Main justice and two other judges were late on On Monday, presumably to discuss security issues related to the upcoming elections.
According to reports, the meeting continued over three hours and Lieutenant General Nadeem Anjum, director general of spy agency held a briefing on safety problems facing a country. Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Awan also attended the meeting.
