ISLAMABAD, March 26 (ONLINE): Election Commission (EC) has reserved judgment on the petition against not administering oath to newly elected members of KP assembly. A five members bench of EC presided over by the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC heard the petition Tuesday. When inquired by member EC Nisar Durrani about the powers of EC, DG Law EC said EC can direct speaker to administer oath to the members. EC can postpone Senate polls in the case oath is not administered to newly elected members.
Secretary KP assembly Kafayat Ullah Afridi and the petitioners newly elected members of KP assembly appeared.
The counsel Shah Khawar said notification of women members of KP assembly were issued on March 4 . However Speaker KP assembly has not administered oath to them by summoning KP assembly session. The KP Senate polls be postponed unless oath is taken.
EC Inquired can EC take action against speaker KP assembly on not administering oath. If speaker does not comply with the orders then what will happen.
The counsel Shah Khawar said EC cannot interfere in the internal proceedings of the assembly.
Secretary KP assembly said legal interpretation is being made on summoning of session by governor KP. It has to be seen can governor summon assembly session without summary or not on his own. When assembly is in session then the oath will be administered to newly elected members. Speaker has never refused from administering oath to members of assembly .
DG Law EC said the matter of administering oath after general election falls in the jurisdiction of EC. He said EC can issue directives regarding oath taking. If speaker delays then EC can interfere. The EC reserved judgment on completion of arguments.
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