In Lahore, a challenge has been mounted against Section 215 of the Election Act in the Lahore High Court, focusing on the withdrawal of election symbols from candidates.
The petitioner, Mian Shabbir, filed the plea with the representation of Azhar Siddique Advocate, naming the Election Commission and the Federal Government as respondents.
The argument presented in the petition contends that Section 215 of the Election Act is in contradiction with the Constitution. The petitioner highlights that the Supreme Court, in multiple rulings, has clarified that party elections do not impact general elections. According to the petitioner, Article 17 of the Constitution allows the banning of political parties only in two specific cases. However, Section 215 permits the withdrawal of election symbols from any political party, impeding the democratic right of the people and voters as outlined in Article 17.
The plea requests the court to declare Section 215 of the Election Act null and void.