SCBA condemns ECP’s decision to postpone Punjab elections.

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court Bar Association condemned the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision to postpone the Punjab elections on Thursday, calling it a “absolute abrogation of the Constitution.”

The ECP had delayed the election in Punjab until October 8 because it could not hold transparent and peaceful polls on the scheduled date of April 30.

SCBA President Abid S Zuberi and Secretary Muqtedir Akthar Shabbir stated in a statement that the commission could not change the election date “under any circumstances whatsoever.”

They argued that the Supreme Court’s March 1 order made it “inexplicably clear that elections had to be held within the 90-day time period stipulated under Article 224 (2) of the Constitution.”

“However, it is regrettable that the Election Commission has acted in such flagrant disregard of its constitutional mandate and Supreme Court order,” the statement continued.

It went on to say that there was no provision in the Election Act or the Constitution that allowed the ECP to hold elections beyond the 90-day period specified in Article 224. (2).

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“It is truly unfortunate to see the Election Commission grossly misinterpreting the Constitution, the law, and the Supreme Court’s order,” it said.

According to the SCBA, the commission “acted in excess of jurisdiction and violated its constitutional mandate.”

The statement went on to say that it was also important to emphasise that the caretaker government’s only constitutional function was to ensure fair and transparent elections.

It went on to say that even the caretaker government was bound by the time limit set out in Article 224. (2).

“As a result, the caretaker government cannot function beyond the 90-day period specified in Article 224 (2),” it added.

According to the SCBA, such a violation of the Constitution could only lead to complete chaos and anarchy in the country.

“Given the current political and economic crises in the country, restoration of democracy and timely elections are the need of the hour,” the statement read.

The association contended that the ECP, by issuing the notification dated March 22, had now opened the door to “absolute chaos and uncertainty”.