SC bins delimitation objections after poll schedule issued

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday dismissed the verdict of Balochistan High Court (BHC) about change in delimitations in two constituencies of the province.

The Apex court clarified that the objections against the delimitations could not be raised once the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) issued elections schedule.

Headed by Acting Chief Justice of Pakistan Sardar Tariq Masood and comprising Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Athar Minallah, a three-member SC bench heard the appeal of ECP against the BHC’s verdict.

During the course of proceedings, Justice Tariq Masood remarked that why everyone wanted to prolong the electoral process and let the election be held. Justice Mansoor Ali Shah observed remarked that all litigations had become ineffective after the issuance of the election schedule. The entire electoral process should not be affected to give relief an individual, he said, adding that “we have to draw a line to fix the limits”.

Justice Athar Minallah remarked that how the high court could use a power of Election Commission. There could be a flood of complaints if the top court allowed the practice, he added.

Justice Minallah said that the biggest test of the ECP was to ensure transparency in the elections on February 8. The BHC had ordered the ECP to do changing in the delimitations of two constituencies, including Sherani and Zob, and latter had challenged that verdict in the SC.