Senate polls presidential reference: SC summons CEC today.

ISLAMABAD -- Supreme Court (SC) has summoned Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and members today (Tuesday in connection with hearing of presidential reference on holding Senate polls through open balloting.

The court order has said CEC should file election scheme in the court with reference to senate polls. Holding fair and transparent Senate polls is the constitutional obligation of Election Commission (EC). It is also responsibility of EC that it introduces election scheme with regard to election. EC has not introduced any such scheme so far.

A 5-member larger bench of SC presided over by the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Gulzar Ahmad took up the case for hearing Monday.

CJP remarked during the hearing of the case there should be no corrupt practice in Senate polls. This is job of EC to stop such practice. It should be ensured that Senate polls are held in transparent manner. EC is an autonomous body. No law can block its way.

Attorney General (AG) argued ' voting should be held secret on election day but the identification of the vote should be made later. If some contradiction comes any where then it should be known to party head. There is no need of legislation in this regard.

Justice Umar Ata Bandial while addressing AG on one occasion remarked 'you mean to say ballot should have serial number.

AG said yes he means to say this.

Justice Umar Ata Bandial remarked Senate election scheme should be changed. It is responsibility of EC to curb any sale and purchase during the Senate polls. Now its videos have come to open. Is election commission sleeping or waking up.

Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan remarked ' tell us how many members of Senate were disqualified due...