ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday ruled that the controversies related to delimitation of constituencies would be decided in accordance with observations of the Supreme Court.

IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq announ­ced the verdict on petitions filed against the ECP’s demarcation of constituencies in Mirpur­kh­­as, Sanghar, Bannu and Shikarpur.

The petitioners had requested the high court to resolve the delimitation controversies before the elections slated for Feb 8.

Justice Farooq remar­ked that any restraining order would add to confusion.

Any restraining order will add to confusion, observes Justice Farooq

He asked the petitioners’ counsel to point out any provision under which the Election Com­mission of Pakistan (ECP) might be directed.

The ECP’s counsel informed the court that the apex court had observed that petitions filed against the delimitation of constituencies after Dec 14 had become infructuous.

Justice Farooq remar­ked that he would issue an appropriate order after deliberations.

The apex court, while setting aside a Balochistan High Court’s decision, held on Monday that delimitation of constituencies cannot be questioned after the announcement of the poll schedule.

Last week, the Supreme Court vacated the stay order issued by the Lahore High Court against the appointment of district returning officers, returning officers and assistant returning officers for the Feb 8 polls and reiterated that general elections would be held on the said date.

Published in Dawn, December 19th, 2023