ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday sought a reply from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for not allocating seats for special persons in the recruitment test for election officers.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah issued the order while hearing a petition filed against the ECP for not allocating seats for special persons in the recruitment process.

The court asked the ECP to submit a reply by May 3.

Chief Justice Minallah observed that the court would not allow any discrimination against persons with disabilities, adding that special persons were rendering services as judicial officers.

The ECP’s lawyer contended that the job of an election officer was a tough one and it would be very difficult for a person with a disability to perform the functions as mandated in the job specification.

The chief justice asked the counsel to avoid passing such remarks since such comments were discriminatory in nature. He reminded the ECP that being a constitutional body it should allow special persons to take the recruitment examinations.

According to the chief justice, the act of not allowing persons with disabilities to compete for the jobs was tantamount to violating of their fundamental rights.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2021