LAHORE: In a significant development preceding the elections, the Lahore High Court (LHC) has suspended the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) notification to conduct general elections in Punjab through executive means.

The verdict was announced by Justice Ali Baqar Najafi on a petition filed by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) challenging the appointment of district returning officers (DROs) and returning officers (ROs) from the bureaucracy of Punjab for the upcoming general polls.

Justice Ali Baqar Najafi, while delivering the reserved verdict, issued notices to concerned parties, including the caretaker federal and Punjab governments, and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

In a five-page order, the LHC highlighted that substantial funds had been expended by the public on organizing the elections and emphasized the importance of avoiding waste if major political parties contested the results. The court also underscored the ECP’s responsibility to conduct elections that are free and fair.

The PTI’s plea to the Lahore High Court sought a directive for the Election Commission of Pakistan to engage in a consultation process with the Chief Justice of LHC for the appointment of judicial officers as DROs and ROs under Sections 50 and 51 of the Elections Act 2017 for the 2024 polls.

According to sources, provincial election commissioners will administer oaths to the DROs, who, in turn, will administer oaths to the ROs in their respective districts.

Deputy commissioners (DCs) of all districts are reported to be appointed as DROs, while assistant deputy commissioners (ADCs) will serve as ROs for National Assembly (NA) seats. For provincial assembly (PA) seats, assistant deputy commissioners will be designated as returning officers (ROs).

The Election Commission of Pakistan had initially notified general elections to take place on February 8, 2024, in compliance with a Supreme Court order, as stated in the notification issued under Section 57 of the Election Act.