In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court of Pakistan has ruled that elections must be held within 90 days in both Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This 3-2 verdict is being hailed as a major victory for democracy in the country, ensuring that citizens have the right to choose their representatives in a timely manner. Read on to find out more about this historic ruling and what it means for citizens of Pakistan.
Background of the Supreme Court’s Ruling
The Supreme Court of Pakistan has ruled that elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will be held within days, after hearing a petition challenging the delay in holding the polls.
The court was hearing a petition filed by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), which had challenged the delay in holding the polls in the two provinces.
Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are scheduled to go to the polls on October 9 and 16 respectively. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had postponed the polls till November 25.
The ECP had cited logistical challenges in conducting the polls amid the pandemic as the reason for postponing the polls.
However, PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif had challenged the postponement of elections in both Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, arguing that there was no justification for delaying them.
Details of the Ruling
On February 19, 2020, the Supreme Court of Pakistan ruled that elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa must be held within days. This ruling comes after a long delay in the holding of these elections, which was due to objections raised by several political parties.
The Supreme Court has now ordered the Election Commission of Pakistan to hold these elections as soon as possible, and has set a deadline of March 2, 2020, for the completion of all necessary preparations. This means that the elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will most likely be held on March 4, 2020.
This is a major development in Pakistani politics, as it means that the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party will have to contest these elections without its main rival, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), which has been disqualified from contesting any elections due to corruption charges.
The PTI is currently ahead in opinion polls in both Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, but it remains to be seen whether this will translate into electoral success.
Impact on Politics in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
The Pakistan Supreme Court has ruled that elections in the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces must be held within days, in a move that is likely to have a significant impact on politics in the region.
The Punjab province is the most populous in Pakistan, and has been ruled by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) since 2013. The party is currently facing a number of challenges, including allegations of corruption and mismanagement, and has been embroiled in a number of scandals in recent years.
The ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), which governs Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, is also facing a number of challenges. These include allegations of corruption and poor governance, as well as increasing insecurity in the province.
The Supreme Court’s ruling will require both parties to contest the elections on an equal footing, and is likely to lead to a more competitive campaign. It remains to be seen how this will impact the outcome of the elections, but it is clear that the results will have a significant impact on politics in the region.
Reactions from Political Parties
Pakistan’s Supreme Court has ruled that elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa must be held within days, a decision that has been welcomed by political parties.
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), which is the ruling party in Punjab, said it was “pleased” with the court’s decision. “We have always maintained that the election should be held on time and we are ready to contest them,” said a party spokesperson.
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), which is the main opposition party in Punjab, also welcomed the court’s ruling. “We have been demanding early elections in Punjab and we are ready to contest them,” said a party spokesperson.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which is the ruling party in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, said it was “ready and prepared” for early elections. “We have always said that the sooner the better,” said a PTI spokesperson.
Implications for Future Elections
The Supreme Court’s ruling on the elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has implications for future elections in Pakistan. The court ruled that the elections must be held within days, and that the caretaker governments in both provinces must be dissolved. This means that the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) will not be able to contest the elections, as it is currently barred from doing so by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). The opposition Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is also likely to be affected by the ruling, as it is also subject to ECP sanctions. This could lead to a situation where only two parties are able to contest the elections, which would not be democratic.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Supreme Court ruling that elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa must be held within 90 days is an important milestone for democracy in Pakistan. This decision will ensure a smooth transition of power from one government to another and provide people with a voice when it comes to deciding who should lead the country. It is our hope that this ruling will encourage more participation in politics across the nation and that future elections will be conducted fairly and without any interference or manipulation.
