Election Delay Will Strengthen Opposing Forces, Says CJP Bandial

 

Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Atta Bandial's Big Order

On Thursday, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial issued a warning, saying that any delay in holding polls would give "negative forces" a chance to intervene in the nation and use manipulative methods. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) filed a review case contesting the Supreme Court's decision to hold elections in Punjab on May 14. The CJP made these comments at a hearing on the review petition.

The electoral watchdog stated in its review petition that, in accordance with the Constitution, authorities other than the judiciary have the authority to declare the date of general elections. The impugned order under review, according to the petition, violated the basic rule of the separation of powers and was thus unsustainable.

The ECP further said that the presence of an elected government in Punjab would prevent fair elections to the National Assembly from being held. According to Article 218(3) of the Constitution and other constitutional requirements, it was asserted, the Election Commission of Pakistan alone is responsible for organising elections.

The review petition emphasised that the voter is likely to favour candidates from the political party in power in Punjab, stating that

 "Fair elections cannot take place in the presence of an elected government in Punjab."

The comments made by CJP Bandial serve as a reminder of the possible repercussions of election postponements and a cautionary tale against enabling bad forces to take advantage of the circumstance and sabotage the nation's democratic process.