ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday sought Rs15 billion from the federal government for gearing up preparations for elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), in the light of a Supreme Court verdict.
According to details, demand for the funds was made during a meeting held between officials of the Election Commission of Pakistan and the Finance Ministry.
Media reports said that officials from finance ministry tabled an overview of the country’s economic situation. “The ministry was facing severe difficulties for day-to-day expenses”, reports said while quoting officials.
Honourable Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja presided over an important meeting regarding General Elections of KP and Punjab.The Finance Secretary and the Interior Secretary were called in the meeting to ensure the provision of funds and security for the elections pic.twitter.com/YVtuYoeiAd
— Spokesperson ECP (@SpokespersonECP) March 9, 2023
During the meeting, the ECP sought Rs15 billion from the government for conducting elections in Punjab, KP. Sources added that the finance ministry has already provided Rs5 billion to commission in this regard.
The electoral watchdog has tabled its demand to immediate release of Rs10 billion.
Meanwhile, sources claimed, the ministry has assured ECP that its demand will be tabled before the government. Officials noted that the withdrawal of resignations from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MNAs saved cost of the by-election.
A day earlier, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had summoned a meeting with the officials of the Interior and Finance ministries to seek funds and security for the upcoming elections.
Earlier on Monday, the ECP refuted media reports claiming that it had asked for funds from the prime minister’s office for upcoming elections in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
In a statement issued, an ECP spokesman brushed aside the allegations and stated that the commission had not sent any such letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Punjab polls
The Election Commission of Pakistan has announced the election schedule for the general election in Punjab. “Polling for the election of Punjab provincial assembly will be held on April 30,” the election commission announced.
According to the election schedule, candidates could submit their nomination papers from March 12 to 14, while scrutiny of the papers will be held on March 22.
The candidates could withdraw their nomination papers up to April 05 and election symbols to candidates will be allotted on April 06, the ECP announced.
It is to be recalled that President Dr Arif Alvi announced April 30 as the date for elections in Punjab.
SC verdict
The Supreme Court while announcing its verdict on a suo moto notice, has ruled that elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab should be held within 90 days.
CJP Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar supported the verdict, while Justice Jamal Mandokhail and Justice Mansoor Ali Shah opposed the admissibility of the suo moto notice and dissented from the majority verdict. Justice Shah and Justice Mandokhail in their dissenting notes agreed with the position of Justice Yahya Afridi and Justice Athar Minallah. “The matter was already being heard in the high courts, Supreme Court cannot take suo moto notice on the undertrial cases in the high courts.”
The short verdict stated that the Election Commission of Pakistan failed in discharging its role in the election. The announcement of the election date in KP is the responsibility of the provincial governor, while the president has the authority as per law and constitution to fix the election date in Punjab.
The verdict further stated a consultation to fix the date of elections in Punjab, if they are not possible on April 9, the date announced by the president.
