PHC seeks reply from ECP

Humayun Khan
PESHAWAR: Peshawar High Court (PHC) directed Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the provincial government for submission of reply regarding stopping Tehsil chairmen in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from contesting provincial and national assembly elections, on Wednesday.
PHC’s divisional bench comprised of Justice Abdul Shakoor and Justice Syed Arshad Ali heard Tangi tehsil chairman Fayyaz Ali while Babar Khan Yousafzai advocate appeared before the court on behalf of the applicant.
The counsel Babar Khan Yousafzai advocate argued that the provincial government had amended Local Government Act 2013 and stopped tehsil chairmen from contesting election for provincial and national assembly. The petitioner is tehsil chairman Tangi area of Charsadda and wants to participate in the upcoming general election, the counsel argued. He added that amendment in LG Act 2013 is unconstitutional and against the Election Rules.
The counsel argued that amendments in LG Act only applicable for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa while constitution protects right of every citizen. He further added that MPA and MNAs are eligible for contesting LG elections in the same Act of 2013 which discriminatory and requested for declaring null& void.
PHC’s divisional bench comprising of Justice Abdul Shakoor and Justice Syed Arshad Ali ordered Advocate General Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and ECP for submission of reply after conclusion of argument while adjourned further hearing.