Yesterday, the Supreme Court had reserved its judgment on the notice it had taken itself regarding the elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The court has now announced its decision after completing the hearing on the matter.
The five-member bench of the Supreme Court has accepted the requests of the Speakers of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa while delivering the verdict.
The Supreme Court has ordered elections to be held in Punjab and KPK within 90 days, according to its verdict. The decision was made by a majority of three out of the five-member bench. The majority of the bench has also granted relief to the petitioners.
According to the verdict, the Governor has been granted powers in three situations under the Constitution. The first is under Article 112, the second is when advised by the Chief Minister to dissolve the assembly, and the third is under Article 222 of the Constitution, which states that the subject of elections is under the purview of the federal government. The Election Act grants the power to announce the date of elections to the Governor and the President. If the Governor dissolves the assembly, he will also announce the election date. If the Governor does not dissolve the assembly, the President of the country will dissolve the assembly under Section 57.
