LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday issued orders for local government elections in the Punjab Cantonment Board to be held on a party basis. Previously they were to be held on a non-party basis.
Earlier in March, a writ petition was submitted in the LHC from Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf against non-party elections in Punjab's cantonment board.
Justice Mansoor Ali Shah announced a short order for the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) that all candidates who submitted their nomination papers independently must do so through a party, along with party affiliation papers. The court added that this decision would not affect the election schedule.
Also read: Candidates start submitting papers for cantt LG polls
The judge further said that the articles 14 and 61 of the cantonment board law are against the constitution of Pakistan and must be revised accordingly.
Previously, the ECP had announced that elections would be held on a non-party basis, and had directed that executive authorities in the federation and provinces should not use state resources in the election for the cantonment boards, as it may be construed as an attempt to influence the election in favour of a particular candidate.
Know more: Schedule for LG polls in cantt areas announced
Nomination papers will be scrutinised from Apr 2 to Apr 4, while Apr 6 has been set as the last date for filing appeals against acceptance or rejection of nomination papers, which should be disposed of by Apr 9, 2015.