LAHORE: Hearing a petition on the delimitation aimed at defining constituencies and units for the upcoming local government elections, the Lahore High Court on Monday said the courts were defending the interests of the people and would continue to do so, DawnNews reported.

Chief Justice LHC Umar Ata Bandial heard the petition which alleged that although fresh delimitation for the holding of local government elections was the prerogative of the Election Commission of Pakistan, the Punjab government was interfering in the matter and trying to influence the outcome.

The petitioner moreover requested the court that the Punjab government be barred from calling the shots over delimitation.

Responding to the petitioner’s concerns, the court said the law was the same for everyone and no one would be allowed to violate it.

Directing the lawyers to continue their arguments, the court adjourned the hearing to Oct 24.

Opposition parties in Punjab have been alleging that the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) government was engaged in pre-poll rigging of the coming municipal elections.

The opposition in Punjab Assembly on Sunday sought one-week extension in a deadline for filing objections to delimitation for local constituencies which they say was being done in accordance with the demands of PML-N workers.

Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, opposition leader in the Punjab Assembly Mian Mahmoodur Rashid said constitutionally only the ECP could do the demarcation of constituencies but the PML-N government was doing the task at the behest of its MPs and likely candidates for local polls while the rivals were not being given maps of the new constituencies.