Pakistan's SC declares election commission's decision to postpone polls in Punjab province as null and void

Islamabad: Pakistan's Supreme Court has declared the election commission's decision to postpone polls in the Punjab province as null and void. Terming the decision to delay the polls unconstitutional, the Supreme Court fixed May 14 as the date for polls in the province.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif-led Pakistan government has been trying to delay the provincial election citing security issues and the economic crisis. The verdict comes as a boost for former prime minister Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.

The verdict



underlined that the last date for submitting appeals against the returning officer’s decision is April 10 and the Election Tribunal will announce the decision on the appeals on April 17.

The apex court asked the federal government to provide 21 billion Pakistani rupees to the Election Commission by April 10 and directed the poll body to present a report on the issue by April 11.

On March 22, the Election Commission of Pakistan delayed assembly polls in the Punjab province by more than five months to October 8.