The Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) plea for a reconsideration ofthe Supreme Court’s directive to hold Punjab elections on May 14, 2023, wasresolved on Thursday, as reported by 24NewsHD TV channel. During theproceedings, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Atta Bandial emphasizedthat the Supreme Court would respond whenever there is a breach of theConstitution.
One of the pivotal aspects raised during the hearing was the modificationin the Election Act. The ECP’s legal representative, Sajeel Swati,highlighted that the recent amendments to Sections 57 and 58 now empowerthe ECP to determine the election date. The legal discourse took place infront of a three-judge bench composed of CJP Bandial, Justice Ijazul Ahsan,and Justice Muneeb Akhtar.
Justice Muneeb Akhtar drew attention to the specific context of the reviewcase, distinguishing it from the original case. The ECP’s lawyer sought tosubmit additional documents in response to the Supreme Court’s detailedverdict on Punjab elections, which had been received two weeks prior.
Prompted by the Chief Justice, the ECP’s lawyer presented their responsewithin the courtroom. Chief Justice Bandial expressed gratitude to allthose present and underscored the Supreme Court’s role in intervening whenconstitutional violations occur.
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Justice Muneeb Akhtar underscored the significance of the Constitution,stating that it belongs to no single entity and cannot be disregarded. Hefurther emphasized that any challenges faced in upholding the Constitutionshould be addressed through legal channels, such as approaching the court.
In summary, the Supreme Court’s disposal of the ECP’s review petitionregarding Punjab elections reaffirmed the court’s commitment to upholdingthe Constitution and addressing any violations thereof. The legalproceedings revolved around the amended Election Act and the ECP’s newfoundauthority to set election dates. The interaction between the justices andthe ECP’s lawyer shed light on the nuanced distinction between the reviewcase and the main case, with an emphasis on adhering to legal proceduresand constitutional principles.
