ISLAMABAD, Nov 05 (APP):The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday issued notices to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), Interior Secretary and other respondents on a petition challenging the repeated collection of nomination paper fees from candidates contesting local government elections in the federal capital. Justice Umair Majid Malik heard the petition filed by former chairman Malik Sajid Mahmood. Advocate Mudassir Latif Abbasi appeared on behalf of the petitioner. During …
IHC seeks response on repeated collection of fees from local election candidates
ISLAMABAD, Nov 05 (APP):The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday issued notices to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), Interior Secretary and other respondents on a petition challenging the repeated collection of nomination paper fees from candidates contesting local government elections in the federal capital.
Justice Umair Majid Malik heard the petition filed by former chairman Malik Sajid Mahmood. Advocate Mudassir Latif Abbasi appeared on behalf of the petitioner.
During the hearing, the counsel alleged that Rs8.54 million had been collected from candidates after the previous election schedule was announced.
He requested the court to direct the authorities to retain the fees deposited under the previous schedule, even if the election schedule was cancelled or revised.
The petitioner sought a direction that fees already paid for a seat in a particular union council should also be accepted under the revised election schedule, and that previous fee receipts be treated as valid payment for nomination papers in the upcoming local government elections.
The counsel further requested that candidates’ nomination papers should not be rejected solely on the ground that they had not deposited the fee again.
He also prayed the court to direct the ECP and other relevant authorities to devise a lawful mechanism for adjustment of previously paid fees and declare the demand for repeated payment for the same seat illegal.
The ECP, Chief Election Commissioner, Interior Secretary, District Returning Officer and Returning Officer have been named as respondents in the petition.
The court issued notices to the respondents and adjourned further proceedings.
