LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Thursday sought a reply from the federal government on an application seeking directions to hold voting in the Senate election through show of hand.

Advocate Azhar Siddique filed the application in his pending main petition for non-implementation of articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution during scrutiny of candidates for upcoming Senate election.

The lawyer said the government’s intention to hold Senate poll through secret ballot was based on mala fide and it would promote horse-trading and corruption.

He said the government should ensure free and fair election of the Parliament’s upper house and this could only happen through show of hand.

Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah adjourned the hearing till March 3 and directed the government to submit a reply.

Published in Dawn, February 27th, 2015

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