The Election Commission of Pakistan has scheduled elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for October 8, after setting the same date for polling in Punjab.
According to the top electoral authority, the detailed election programme will be issued in due course of time.
The decision comes nearly a week after Governor KP Ghulam Ali proposed the date for elections in the province.
In a surprise move on March 22, ECP announced to postpone Punjab elections scheduled for April 30, saying the polls will now be held in the province on October 8.
“In exercise of the powers conferred upon it under Article 218(3) read with Section 58 and Section 8 (c) of the elections act, 2017 and all other powers enabling it in that behalf, the Commission hereby withdraws the election program,” read the ECP order.
It had also said that a “fresh schedule will be issued in due course of time with [the] poll date on October 8.”
The decision of the top electoral authority received a swift rebuke by Imran Khan, who termed it a clear violation of the Constitution.
On March 1, the Supreme Court of Pakistan ordered that elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa must take place within the next 90 days.
Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail dissented from the majority’s decision, leaving the judgment split 3-2. The decision was endorsed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Munib Akhtar, and Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar.
On Monday, Justice Shah and Justice Mandokhail released a 27-page order, stating that the suo motu on Punjab and KP stood dismissed.
In their decision, the judges said that the case was dismissed by a majority of four judges out of the total seven.
The order also said, "We find it essential to underline that in order to strengthen our institution and ensure public trust and public confidence in our Court, it is high time that we revisit the power of one man show enjoyed by the office of the Chief Justice of Pakistan."
According to the top electoral authority, the detailed election programme will be issued in due course of time.
The decision comes nearly a week after Governor KP Ghulam Ali proposed the date for elections in the province.
In a surprise move on March 22, ECP announced to postpone Punjab elections scheduled for April 30, saying the polls will now be held in the province on October 8.
“In exercise of the powers conferred upon it under Article 218(3) read with Section 58 and Section 8 (c) of the elections act, 2017 and all other powers enabling it in that behalf, the Commission hereby withdraws the election program,” read the ECP order.
It had also said that a “fresh schedule will be issued in due course of time with [the] poll date on October 8.”
The decision of the top electoral authority received a swift rebuke by Imran Khan, who termed it a clear violation of the Constitution.
On March 1, the Supreme Court of Pakistan ordered that elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa must take place within the next 90 days.
Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail dissented from the majority’s decision, leaving the judgment split 3-2. The decision was endorsed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Munib Akhtar, and Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar.
On Monday, Justice Shah and Justice Mandokhail released a 27-page order, stating that the suo motu on Punjab and KP stood dismissed.
In their decision, the judges said that the case was dismissed by a majority of four judges out of the total seven.
The order also said, "We find it essential to underline that in order to strengthen our institution and ensure public trust and public confidence in our Court, it is high time that we revisit the power of one man show enjoyed by the office of the Chief Justice of Pakistan."