ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Friday withdrew stay order against Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) notification on Article 202 of the Election Act 2017, in a case challenging the order and adjourned hearing of the case for indefinite period.
Justice Amir Farooq picked up the case filed by the Pakistan Democratic Party, Sadaa-i-Pakistan, Fatahyab Democratic Party and Pakistan Muslim League (Safdar Zaman), who were represented by Advocate Hafiz Mohammad Sufyan and Chaudhry Hamid.
During hearing, Deputy Attorney General (DAB) Raja Khalid stated this law was passed by the Parliament and now was part of the Constitution. He requested the court to withdraw stay order against that law. After hearing arguments, the bench accepted the stance of DAG and vacated the stay order.
The petitioners had stated in their plea that that the ECP order was in violation of basic human rights as well as the Constitution of Pakistan.
It may be mentioned here that on November 29, IHC had suspended the notification of ECP regarding the Section 202 of Election Act 2017 and served notices to the respondents for reply. Article 202 of the Election Act 2017 says that all political parties that wish to take part in the next general election must provide a list of at least 2,000 members with their signature or thumb impression along with the copies of their National Identity Cards.
Under Article 202, political parties are required to pay Rs 200,000 as "enlistment fee" and any political party that fails to abide by the above conditions is ineligible to contest the polls.
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