PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Tuesday served a notice on the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), demanding an explanation for the postponement of the September 25 by-poll in NA-24 (Charsadda-II) constituency of Charsadda city in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The court has ordered the commission to submit its response by September 16.
The petitioner had argued in court the ECP postponed the election citing damaged caused by deadly floods. However, it is pertinent to hold a by-poll on any seat within 60 days of its vacancy, he observed.
Moreover, the applicant argued the situation in the Charsadda district was normal, people have returned to their homes.
Aimal Wali Khan, provincial president of Awami National Party (ANP) and candidate for Charsadda, had turned to court against the postponement of the vote.
However, the ECP announced to hold the postponed by-polls on four national and Punjab assemblies’ constituencies on October 9. The constituencies include NA-157 Multan, PP-139 Sheikhupura, PP-241 Bahawalnagar, and PP-209 Khanewal.
