SC orders candidates to submit affidavits with nomination papers

Fuente: 
The Express Tribune
Fecha de publicación: 
06 Jun 2018

The Supreme Court on Wednesday instructed aspiring candidates to submit an affidavit, detailing their assets, along with their nomination papers.

A five-member bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar, resumed hearing of a petition filed by former National Assembly speaker Ayaz Sadiq challenging a Lahore High Court (LHC) verdict rejecting nomination papers, drafted by a parliamentary committee, for violating Article 62, 63 of the Constitution of Pakistan.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) was also instructed during the hearing to prepare specimen of a affidavit and share it with the top court. Contesting candidates will be bound to submit the affidavit with the required information within three days.

Returning Officers were instructed by the bench (RO) to submit the affidavits of contesting candidates to the apex court. The court warned that strict action would be taken against lawmakers who submit false information.

People must know the integrity and varsity of the contesting individuals, said the CJP. He also asked why lawmakers were shying from disclosing information by omitting details in the new nomination forms.

The bench remarked that it will constitute a special bench on “how to conduct elections.” Justice Nisar said that as “custodians of the Constitution”, the apex court wanted transparency in the process. He further said the court shall seek information by exercising section 3 of Article 184.

The apex court had passed an interim order on June 3 suspending the LHC decision. The directives were passed by Justice Nisar “after considering the supremacy of the Parliament.”

Justice Nisar and Justice Sheikh Azmat reiterated that the top court will not delay the forthcoming polls.

Hasnaat Mailk

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