Punjab government moves LHC to postpone by-elections

[Naveed Yaseen]

* LHC moved to stay elections in NA-123 (Lahore), NA-55 (Rawalpindi), PP-82 (Jhang), PP-284 Bahawalnagar
* Sanaullah says govt fears election rallies might be attacked

Staff Report

LAHORE: The Punjab government and a candidate for by-elections filed constitutional petitions with the Lahore High Court on Monday in a bid to stay the upcoming by-polls in NA-123 (Lahore), NA-55 (Rawalpindi), PP-82 (Jhang) and PP-284 Bahawalnagar.

The Punjab chief secretary and the home secretary filed one of the petitions, citing the law and order situation – while Chaudhry Muhammad Ilyas Gujjar, a candidate for the by-polls, filed the other petition challenging the election process that allows new candidates for NA-123 to file nomination papers.

Both petitions are scheduled to be heard by Justice Mian Saqib Nisar today (Tuesday). The provincial government’s lawyer said the security situation in Punjab was not suitable for elections. Also, he said the Punjab government was not consulted over the schedule. He said the threat to the lives of certain leaders was “real”.

He cited the arrest and deaths of Taliban leaders, and said there were concerns of “a serious backlash”. He asked the court to order that the polls be delayed in light of the “grave security situation”.

Ilyas Gujjar’s lawyer said the latest notification on the election schedule was “unlawful”, because nominations had already been filed and symbols allotted but the EC was now inviting fresh nominations.

Attacks on rallies: Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah said the petition had been filed because of “a strong likelihood of suicide attacks on election rallies”, reported APP.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...2009_pg1_5