LHC annuls two Punjab constituencies

LAHORE/ISLAMABAD: The Lahore High Court Friday invalidated the new constituencies of PP-35 Wazirabad and PP-59 Gujranwala and directed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to review delimitation.

Justice Ali Baqir Najafi heard the petitions against delimitation of the constituencies.

The court also ordered ECP to review the issue of constituencies of NA-123 and NA-120 of Lahore.

Azam Nazir Tarar of PMLN argued population of one lakh was included in other constituencies. “Constituencies are framed for the convenience of the voters and not to put them in trouble”, he said.

In the petition, it was stated population of one constituency has been increased and population of another reduced. The population of constituencies cannot be more or less than the ratio given in the law, the petition stated.

The counsel of Election Commission took the position two out of the three proposals for revising the constituencies on the application have been approved.

Speaking to the media, Azam Nazir Tarar said the ratio of population in both the constituencies was affected up to 22 percent. The Election Commission could not provide any justification for this, he said.

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) issued a notice to ECP on the petition against delimitation of NA-35 Kohat and sought its reply by Monday.

IHC Chief Justice Aamir Farooq heard the petition. The counsel of petitioner argued NA-35 Kohat is the largest constituency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “Kohat constituency was very small if compared to Chitral and Hangu Orkazai etc, he said.

“The Constitution promises all citizens equal voting rights. The law says all constituencies must have equal population.

Section 20(3) of Election Act 2017 was violated in the new constituencies”, he argued. The court adjourned hearing of the case till Monday.