DCs in Punjab directed to cooperate with ECP for transparent polls, SC told
Chief secretary submits response to PTI petition seeking contempt of court charges against Punjab officials
January 07, 2024
- Punjab govt determined to hold fair elections, chief secretary says.
- He says candidates should file nomination papers without any fear.
- Govt directs to take strict action against those creating hurdles.
ISLAMABAD: The Punjab chief secretary has apprised the apex court that the caretaker provincial government had ordered all the deputy commissioners to provide assistance to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and ensure peaceful and transparent polls according to Article 220 of the Constitution, The News reported on Sunday.
The chief secretary said this in response to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) petition filed in the Supreme Court seeking contempt of court charges against the electoral body, inspector generals of police and all provinces’ chief secretaries over non-compliance of SC's December 22, 2023 order.
He stated that the interim provincial government was determined to take effective measures for ensuring peaceful, free and transparent elections in the country, adding that the instructions issued by the ECP have been dispatched to all the district returning officers (DROs) and other officials for implementation, ensuring that all the aspiring candidates should file their respective nomination papers without any fear and pressure.
The reply also stated that the caretaker provincial government also issued instructions to the officials concerned to take strict action against those making hurdles in the process of filing nomination papers as well.
It is pertinent to mention here that on January 3, a three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa issued notices to the Punjab chief secretary, IG and advocate general on the PTI petition against the ECP and others on a lack of a level playing field in the upcoming general elections.
