SCBA challenges CCI’s decision to hold polls as per new census in SC

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) on Wednesday challenged in the Supreme Court (SC) the Council of Common Interests’ (CCI) decision to hold next general elections under new delimitations, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

In its petition, the SCBA sought annulment of the CCI’s decision.

Making the federal government, the CCI, four provincial governments and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) respondents in its petition, the SCBA prayed to the apex court to order the ECP to announce the election date immediately.

The CCI had approved the results of the 2023 digital census 11 days ago, making it almost certain that general elections may not be held this year as fresh delimitations, which may take months, have now become compulsory.

Although some of the ruling allies, including the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), earlier opposed holding the next general elections under the fresh census, it remained silent at the CCI meeting.

Besides that, although Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar had claimed the new census results were “unanimously” approved, the government-allied Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) did not attend the CCI meeting.

It is feared that the passage of the new census could delay elections due to new delimitations, which require an amendment to the constitution.

Reporter: Amanat Gishkori