PTI moves SC against 'unconstitutional' delay in elections.

ISLAMABAD -- The PTI has moved the Supreme Court to set aside the Election Commission of Pakistan's (ECP) order to put off Punjab Assembly elections till Oct 8.

The petition, moved by PTI Secretary General Asad Umar, former Punjab AsseAmAbly speaker Mohammad SibAtain Khan, former KhyAber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Speaker Mushtaq Ahmad Ghani and ex-lawmakers of Punjab Abdul Rehman and Mian Mahmoodur Rashid, pleaded that the ECP's decision was in violation of the Constitution and tantamount to amending and subverting it.

On March 22, the ECP had put off the elections for more than five months citing the deteriorating security situation in the country and the unavailability of security personnel.

Barrister Syed Ali Zafar moved the petition on behalf of the PTI officials on Saturday with a request to order the ECP to hold the elections on the date fixed earlier - April 30. The petition also sought directions for the federal government to ensure law and order, provisions of funds and security personnel as per the ECP's need to hold the elections.

Party says shortage of funds, personnel can't be used to justify putting off general elections

It also requested the court to direct the KP governor to announce the date for elections to the provincial assembly. A day ago, KP Governor Ghulam Ali also proposed Oct 8 as the date for holding elections in the province. Earlier, he had announced May 28 as the date for polls.

Tantamount to amending Constitution

The PTI's petition questioned the ECP's authority to 'amend the Constitution' and asked how it could decide to delay elections to any assembly beyond the period of 90 days from the date of dissolution of the said assembly as mandated by the Constitution.

The petition argued that the ECP was bound to obey and implement the judgments of the Supreme Court and had no power or jurisdiction to overrule or review them.

In its March 1 verdict, the Supreme Court ordered to hold the election to the Punjab Assembly within 90 days and that the date be announced by the president. It also directed the authorities to provide funds and security personnel to ECP for the elections, the petition recalled.

The ECP cannot act in defiance of the Supreme Court's directions as it has done in this case which was illegal and liable to be set aside, the petition pleaded.

By announcing Oct 8 as the date, the ECP has delayed the elections for more than 183 days beyond the 90-day limit as prescribed in the Constitution.

The petitions...

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