ISLAMABAD: Election Commission of Pakistan’s appeal against Peshawar High Court’s (PHC) verdict to suspend Returning Officer Kohat will be heard on Tuesday.

3-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faiz Isa will conduct hearing. Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Musrat Hilali are also included in bench.

PHC had issued notification suspending appointment of Returning Officer (RO) PK 91 Kohat 2 Irfanullah, which was challenged by ECP in Supreme Court through Advocate Afnan Karim Kundi.

ECP took position that PHC gave its verdict without hearing us, at time when scrutiny of nomination papers of candidates is going on, verdict is tantamount to derailing elections process. ECP further adopted position that election schedule of Election Commission is time-bound, ECP has to complete examination of nomination papers of candidates by December 30. Election Commission banned transfer and posting of ROs, DRO through notification on December 15.

In petition, it was said that Peshawar High Court interfered in discharge of constitutional responsibilities of ECP, High Court has no authority to issue such verdict without hearing ECP by issuing notice.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 01 2024

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