Islamabad: Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Khalid Javed, whilecommenting on Supreme Court (SC) opinion on presidential reference, saidthat federal government has gotten what it was looking for regarding Senatepolls.
In a statement, he said that the apex court has asked for a recognizableSenate paper and it is up to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) nowwhether to print bar code or write serial number.
The apex court’s opinion was very important that secrecy of ballot paperswas not absolute, added the attorney general.
“The top court has endorsed government’s stance and said that secrecy ofballot papers was not absolute,” he added.
Earlier today, the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) announced its opinion onthe presidential reference regarding Senate polls, saying that electionsfor the upper house of parliament will be held through secret ballot,according to Article 226 of the Constitution.
A five-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Gulzar Ahmedand comprising Justice Mushir Alam, Justice Umar Ata Bandial, JusticeIjaz-ul-Ahsan and Justice Yahya Afridi announced the verdict over thereference regarding holding of the Senate polls either through “secretballot” or “open ballot”.
The majority verdict (4-1) of the top court stated that the ElectionCommission of Pakistan (ECP) is empowered to take all measures to hold freeand fair elections and curb corrupt practices. Justice Afridi disagreedwith the majority opinion.
Read Top Stories
The bench further observed that the secrecy of the ballot papers was “notfinal”.
“It is the responsibility of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) toprotect the election from corruption. All institutions are bound to followthe ECP,” it stated adding, “The parliament can pass constitutionalamendments.”
The opinion further read that the electoral body ECP can use latesttechnology to ensure the holding of transparent elections under Article 218of the Constitution.
Apex court had reserved the verdict on February 25, 2021.
