LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Friday ordered the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to ensure free and fair local government polls in Punjab with zero tolerance against any pressure from the provincial government.

A full bench, headed by Justice Farrukh Irfan Khan, was hearing a petition of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf leader Jahangir Tareen challenging amendment to the Local Government Act introduced by the Punjab government.

Advocate Farooq Amjad Mir argued on behalf of the petitioner that the amendment to the local government law was tantamount to interference in the powers of the ECP. He argued that the government had no power to usurp the power of the commission and to carry out delimitation for the LG polls.

ECP’s counsel, however, rejected the claim of the petitioner and said the commission carried out new delimitation of the constituencies without interference of the government.

A Punjab government law officer argued that the amendment to the law was introduced in accordance with Supreme Court’s directions.

However, the bench observed that apparently the amendment was inconsistent with the apex court instructions.

Passing an interim order, the bench directed the ECP to hold the upcoming LG polls free and fair. The bench will resume further hearing after the summer vacation in the court.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play