In a recent legal development in Lahore, a notice has been issued to the Attorney General and the Election Commission regarding the withdrawal of election symbols from candidates.
The High Court heard a case challenging Section 215 of the Election Act, with Justice Shahid Bilal Hasan presiding over the proceedings. Azhar Siddique Advocate presented the petition, naming the Election Commission, Federal Government, and others as parties.
The petition argues that Section 215 of the Election Act is inconsistent with the Constitution. Citing previous Supreme Court judgments, it emphasizes that party elections do not impact general elections, and according to Article 17 of the Constitution, a political party can only be banned in two specific cases.
The court has instructed the Attorney General and the Election Commission to submit their responses within two days. The petition specifically highlights concerns that Section 215 allows the withdrawal of election symbols from any political party, potentially hindering the democratic right of the people to vote freely. As a result, the petitioner seeks the nullification of Section 215 of the Election Act.