The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has raised concerns over the Peshawar High Court (PHC) order against the appointment of a returning officer (RO) in PK-91 Kohat-II. According to the sources of The News, “it is becoming difficult” for electoral authorities to conduct polls with multiple emerging challenges.
The electoral body showed concerns during the ECP meeting on Wednesday and decided to file a petition in the Supreme Court (SC) against the PHC order rejecting the appointment of Irfanullah as RO for PK-91 Kohat-II.
As per the report, ECP decided to move to SC after consulting with legal experts from the commission.
“The meeting noted that following the PHC order, the very constituency is now technically without a returning officer. In these circumstances, it is becoming difficult for the Election Commission of Pakistan to conduct elections,” sources said, referring to the commission’s huddle here at its secretariat after having received the provincial high court order.
According to Article 218, it is the constitutional authority of the electoral body to conduct free, fair, and transparent elections in the country, and all the state institutions are bound to support the ECP to make polls possible.
The Commission reviewed the matter and decided to hold another meeting on Thursday (today) prior to taking a decision in relation to the PHC order.


