LHC postpones by-polls in Punjab

[Naveed Yaseen]

LAHORE: Lahore High Court (LHC) Justice Mian Saqib Nisar on Friday accepted a petition filed by the Punjab government and postponed the November 7 by-polls in the province, while directing the election commissioner to consider the views of the petitioner and other political parties. The by-polls were scheduled for two seats each of the National Assembly and Punjab Assembly. The judge directed the election commissioner to take into account all data provided by Punjab government about law and order situation in the province before issuing a fresh schedule. He held that the provincial government should be heard, as the entire responsibility of holding a safe election rested with the province. The judge maintained that the election commissioner was, however, not bound to abide by the provincial government’s unsubstantiated reasons, and should seek information from other sources to make an independent decision. The Election Commission had fixed November 7 for conducting polls in NA-123 Lahore, NA-55 Rawalpindi, PP-82 Jhang and PP-284 Bahawalnagar. The Punjab government challenged the schedule before the LHC and on Friday submitted a 31-page appeal seeking delay in the elections. staff report

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