ISLAMABAD, Apr 11 (NNI): The Election Commission of Pakistan has submitted its sealed report to the Supreme Court of Pakistan pertaining to availability of funds for holding elections in Punjab by the federal government.
The report was submitted to the SC registrar’s office.
The Supreme Court had ordered the ECP to submit the report regarding provision of funds by the government till today.
The report will be presented to Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhtar at their chambers.
The officials of the ECP after submitting the sealed report to the SC Registrar’s Office, left the premises of the apex court.
The officials in their informal media talk said they are unaware of the content of the report submitted to the Supreme Court.
The apex court in its April 4 ruling ordered the government to provide funds for the polls to Punjab Assembly by April 10.
The court also ordered to submit a report about availability of security personnel for poll duty and cooperation by concerned institutions for holding elections.
The ECP has demanded Rs21 billion from the government to hold elections in Punjab.
Finance ministry has prepared a summary for the federal cabinet and Parliament regarding the provision of funds for Punjab elections, said sources.
The sources said the summary finalisaed by the finance ministry mentioned difficulties in the availability of large sums of money for elections separately۔
Sources having knowledge of the matter said that no money was kept in the budget for the elections and now it is difficult to take out Rs21 billion for the Punjab elections.
Punjab election schedule
Earlier, the Election Commission of Pakistan announced the schedule for elections in Punjab — which are to be held on May 14.
According to the electoral watchdog (ECP) notification, the polling for the Punjab Assembly elections will be held on May 14, 2023. The ECP also withdrew its earlier schedule regarding the holding of general elections in Punjab in October.
Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday tabled a bill in both houses of parliament seeking the release of funds for holding elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in line with the directives issued by the Supreme Court.
He further said the ECP was responsible for holding free and fair elections but contended that holding polls right now was not in Pakistan’s national interest, given the current economic and security situation.
National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said that the bill had been referred to the relevant committee. The NA session was later adjourned till 2pm on April 13 (Thursday).
Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani, also said that he would send the bill to the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue which shall submit its report by Friday, April 14, 2023. NNI
