CCPO Lahore Ghulam Mahmood Dogar transfer case hearing in Supreme Court. File photo
Islamabad: Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja has said in the Supreme Court that I am being prevented from exercising my powers and constitutional requirements.
During the hearing of the transfer case of CCPO Lahore Ghulam Mehmood Dogar, the Chief Election Commissioner said that he wanted to put some things before the court. Gave and asked for money for elections, this was also refused.
Sikandar Sultan Raja said that my powers are being reduced, how to conduct free fair elections in such circumstances. If the court considers the transfers as an obstacle to free elections, then they will not do it. The Chief Election Commissioner said that if the court gives an order, they will stop the exchanges, but if they give the date of the election themselves, it will be a violation of the constitution.
Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan remarked that you will give a detailed report and examine if there are any problems, but there are 37 districts, make transfers in all of them.
Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan remarked that the constitution obliges to hold elections within 90 days and it is the responsibility of the Election Commission to hold elections.
Justice Ejaz-ul-Ahsan further remarked that there is no ambiguity in the constitution regarding elections in 90 days and conducting transparent elections is the sole responsibility of the Election Commission. The Caretaker Government cannot appoint and transfer and if the Caretaker Government intends to transfer, it will apply with solid reasons, the Election Commission is bound to review the reasons and issue an appropriate order.
Lawyer Abid Zuberi told the court that Ghulam Mahmood Dogar was replaced on the verbal orders of the Election Commission, upon which Justice Mazahir Naqvi inquired whether the exchange was correct on verbal orders.
The Chief Election Commissioner said that the Chief Secretary had called on January 23 and asked about the exchange and on receiving the written request, he had given formal permission on February 6. Justice Mazahir Naqvi inquired whether you were not aware of the orders of the Supreme Court. The Chief Election Commissioner replied that there was no mention of the Supreme Court orders in the records found, guidelines have been issued to the provincial governments regarding the conversion.
Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan remarked that you are only bound by the constitution and law and not by your own policies.
The Supreme Court adjourned the hearing of the case till tomorrow after seeking a detailed report from Chief Election Commission Sikandar Sultan Raja.
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