SC seeks report on election reforms

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Wednesday observed that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) must fulfill its constitutional obligation of holding transparent elections in the country.

The court also sought a report from the political parties and the Election Commission of Pakistan on the election reforms.A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, resumed hearing in the election reforms implementation case.

Bilal Hassan Manto, counsel for the appellant, submitted that they wanted to implead other political parties in the instant case.Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, however, observed that if any political party did not want to become a party to the instant case, it meant that the said party was in favour of spending money on the election.

Justice Khilji Arif Hussain remarked that in order to ensure free, fair and transparent elections, the ECP will have to fulfill its constitutional obligation.

Hamid Khan, counsel for Tehreek-e-Insaf, contended that nowadays only moneyed people could contest elections adding that if the court banned lavish expenditure on election then a lot of problems could be resolved.

Justice Khilji Arif Hussain observed that the next elections were not far away so measures can be taken right now for bringing reforms in the election process. The court adjourned hearing till July.