LAHORE:
The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday sought the rules framed for the upcoming local government elections while hearing petitions challenging the proposed non-party basis of the polls.
Justice Sultan Tanveer Ahmad took up petitions filed by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Jamaat-e-Islami and other petitioners, who have made the Punjab government and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) respondents.
The petitioners argued that holding local government elections on a non-party basis is contrary to constitutional principles and democratic norms.
They contended that the financial and administrative autonomy of local bodies has been curtailed, and that vesting budgetary powers in the provincial administration amounts to a violation of the Constitution.
The court was requested to direct the authorities to conduct the elections on a party basis.
During the hearing, the government’s counsel informed the court that the election rules had been finalised and that a notification would be issued within a few days.
The court granted the law officer 10 days to submit the rules and adjourned the hearing for the same period.
