Uniform issue may be decided by apex court: Acting CEC
By Our Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD, April 17: Acting Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Justice Javed Iqbal said on Monday that divergent views and opinions had complicated the issue of election of a uniformed president for the second term and it seemed that the matter would eventually come up before the Supreme Court for adjudication.
Parliament being a supreme law-making institution, however, should have a final say on the issue, Justice Iqbal said while talking to reporters after taking oath as acting CEC.
Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry administered the oath to Justice Javed Iqbal at a ceremony held in the ceremonial hall of the Supreme Court.
The CJ had nominated Justice Iqbal, under Article 217 of the Constitution, to work as acting CEC during the absence of CEC Justice (retd) Qazi Mohammad Farooq, who is abroad.
When asked about the constitutional provision for re- election of the president in uniform by assemblies for the second term, Justice Iqbal observed that parliament should not legislate outside the constitutional framework and should avoid resorting to any supra-constitutional step.
On fresh general elections, Justice Iqbal said that holding timely elections was a constitutional requirement. Elections, he added could be delayed only in exceptional and unavoidable circumstances.
Elections, he said, served as the base of democracy and free and fair elections always strengthened democratic institutions.
Referring to allegations of rigging levelled during the elections, he suggested that such allegations should always be substantiated by pointing out instances, instead of just raising a hue and cry.
