BHC clears decks for Balochistan LG polls | The Express Tribune
Key Takeaways
- The Balochistan High Court dismissed all petitions challenging the delimitation process and census data for local government elections.
- The ruling affirms that the authority for delimitation lies exclusively with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
- The BHC vacated interim orders that had previously restrained the electoral process, allowing the ECP to proceed immediately.
- Legal experts consider the verdict a major step toward restoring grassroots democratic structures in Balochistan after nearly two years of delays.
- Separately, unidentified assailants attacked a Tehsil Court in Kharan, setting offices ablaze and abducting a Qazi, highlighting security concerns.
The Balochistan High Court (BHC) delivered a significant ruling by dismissing all petitions challenging the census data and delimitation process, thereby clearing the path for the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to hold long-overdue local government elections. A two-member bench asserted that judicial interference in delimitation is impermissible, as this authority lies exclusively with the ECP under the Constitution. The court observed that petitioners failed to present valid objections or evidence of voter rights violations, and rejected arguments against the 2017 census data. This decision vacates previous restraining orders and underscores that timely local elections are crucial for effective governance and public participation. Legal experts view this as a major milestone toward restoring democratic structures in Balochistan, which have been dysfunctional for nearly two years due to litigation. Separately, in a disturbing incident, unidentified assailants attacked a Tehsil Court in Muskan Kalat, Kharan, setting government offices ablaze and abducting a Qazi, raising concerns about regional security.
