ISLAMABAD: Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) moved Supreme Court to review its directives to hold elections for Punjab Assembly on May 14, urging it not to intervene in its matters.

In 14-page petition electoral body said that apex court should review its decision as judiciary “Doesn’t have authority to give date of elections.”

Petition was registered hours after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf said that it would submit detailed report of talks between party leaders and ruling alliance, urging apex court to implement its verdict in Punjab polls case.

“It is most respectfully prayed that this August Court may graciously accept instant Review Petition by revisiting, reviewing, reconsidering and recalling its Impunged Order/Judgment April 4, 2023, in interest of justice and equity,” petition read.

Electoral body reiterated that appointing of date for election is “Not mandate of superior courts under Constitution.” “Such powers exist elsewhere under Constitution but certainly not lie in Court of law,” ECP said, citing various legalities and reasons behind its statement.

The electoral body accused Supreme Court of disregarding its constitutional jurisdiction, emphasising that it assumed upon itself role of public body in giving date, “Thus intervention by Court is necessitated to correct an error which has effectively changed settled constitutional jurisprudence of country.”

ECP, in its petition filed claimed that august court has overlooked material questions of Constitution and law, which have material bearing on decision.

“Errors of law are floating on face of record and are manifest and clear that these may not be allowed to remain as such,” ECP wrote. It wrote, “Petition craves kind indulgence of this august court to allow petitioner to raise and agitate further grounds once detailed reasoning for order under review is released.”

Published in The Daily National Courier, May, 04 2023

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