Supreme Court of Pakistan has issued an order in electoral reforms case, declaring correct the new nomination papers made by Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
In the order, the apex court stated that the amendments carried out in the nomination paper are in accordance with the law and the constitution.It also ordered the ECP to strictly implement article 218 of the constitution for holding free and fair elections. It further said that the whole nation wanted to elect representatives who are not indulged in corruption.
Voters have the right to know about their prospective representatives who they will elect, therefore, the candidates must present their details to the election commission.Earlier, a three-member bench of the apex court, led by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, heard a case regarding electoral reforms here on Thursday.
During the hearing, the chief justice remarked that five bills were adopted in the National Assembly (NA), adding that it could have also worked on electoral reforms.He inquired that the incumbent government is going to complete its 5-year term, what steps have been taken so far for electoral reforms.
Attorney General Irfan Qadir said that he held meeting with law secretary last night. He told the court that Standing Committee of Senate is examining the amendment recommendations proposed by Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
The chief justice said that the senate could not do legislation without National Assembly, on which counsel of ECP Munir Paracha said that then there is a need to bring ordinance for the amendments.
The CJ addressing Munir Paracha said that the elections is one of the most important issues at the moment, adding that the latter had told the court last day the government agreed to the amendment and there were differences over one point.Munir Paracha said that the government is agreeing to the amendments but its not initiating the legislation.