The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP), in its opinion on the presidential reference on open Senate vote has said that Senate elections will be held through secret ballot.
The majority opinion (4-1) of the apex court, stated that elections of the upper house of the parliament are held under the article 226 of the constitution of Pakistan.
The apex court has directed Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to use latest technologies to stop corrupt practices and emphasised that all institutions were bound to follow the ECP.
The top court, however, also said that the secrecy of the ballot papers was “not absolute”.
On last Thursday, the Supreme Court of Pakistan had reserved its opinion over the presidential reference on mode of balloting in the Senate election. A five-member larger bench headed by Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed heard the case.
Federal Minister for Interior Sheikh Rashid on Monday has termed the opinion of Supreme Court (SC) on presidential reference regarding Senate elections as constitutional and according to the law.
The minister expressed hope that the Senate polls will become interesting now.
Information Minister Shibli Faraz has said the Supreme Court’s opinion on presidential reference is historic under which the Senate elections will be held as per Article 226 of the Constitution.
Talking to the media persons in Peshawar, the minister said the apex court has directed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to use the latest technology and take the necessary steps to ensure transparency in the polls.
The information minister asked the ECP to take requisite steps for ensuring transparency in the Senate elections in the light of the SC decision.
On December 23, President Arif Alvi, after approving the proposal of the prime minister, had filed a 11-page reference in the Supreme Court under Article 186 of the Constitution relating to the advisory jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and sought its opinion on holding the upcoming elections for the upper house of the Parliament through open ballot and show of hands.
According to the government, the nature of the elections and the way it is conducted has not been clearly mentioned in the Constitution.
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