Supreme Court orders Senate election as per Article 226 of Constitution

Supreme Court orders Senate election as per Article 226 of Constitution that means no show of hands.

The SC’s five-member larger bench of the apex court announced opinion in Presidential reference regarding the Senate elections on Monday.

Supreme Court orders Senate election as per Article 226 of Constitution

Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed headed bench made announcement.

Furthermore, the bench said the election commission of Pakistan should use the latest technology to ensure fair and transparent elections.

Meanwhile, Article 226 of the Constriction states Election by secret ballot.

It states: All elections under the Constitution, other than those of the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister, shall be by secret ballot.

On the other hand, political observers see it defeat of the government’s viewpoint.

The PTI government had been seeking to hold Senate election through show of hands.

That meant open ballot but SC upheld the constitutional procedure for the election.

Despite defeat, Information Minister Shibli Faraz has noted the Supreme Court’s judgement in Presidential reference as historic.

He commented, while talking to media persons in Peshawar on Monday.

He further said the Senate elections will be held as per Article 226 of the constitution.

Shibli referred to the the apex court’s order that directed the Election Commission of Pakistan to use the latest technology.

Moreover, he also cited SC directive to take the necessary steps to ensure transparency in the polls.

However, he noted the court has also ruled that secrecy of ballot is not permanent.

GTV