ECP should conduct delimitations transparently: CJP

• Delimitations of constituencies matter of public interest: CJP Bandial.
• He says election commission should resolve all issues before polls.
• SC refers matter of Sindh delimitations back to electoral body.

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial on Tuesday said that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) should conduct delimitations of constituencies in a transparent manner.

The remarks of CJP Bandial came whilst heading a two-member bench, which was hearing petitions against delimitations of provincial constituencies PS 7, 8, and 9 Shikarpur, which were challenged in the apex court in 2018.

During the hearing, CJP Bandial remarked that the delimitations of constituencies were a matter of public interest and that it had been brought up in the top court several times.

“Election commission should conduct delimitations in a transparent manner,” the top judge said asserting that if the tapedar modifies the circle even slightly, it can affect the votes a candidate receives.

Furthermore, CJP Bandial inquired when were the general elections being held. To this, the Director General (Law) Muhammad Arshad shrugged his shoulders.

“As yet, no date for the elections has been decided. The election commission should resolve all issues before the polls,” the CJP said.

“This matter is more sensitive in Sindh. Grievances often come forth that delimitations in the province were not correct,” he added.

After hearing the arguments, the SC referred the matter back to the electoral body.