The Election Commission has suspended the training sessions for District Returning Officers (DROs) and Returning Officers (ROs), citing a directive from the Lahore High Court as the basis for its decision. According to the commission’s spokesperson, immediate correspondences have been issued to the Election Commissioners of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan in line with the court’s order.
The training for DROs and ROs was underway in Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, and Quetta when the Election Commission decided to halt it. It’s important to note that the Lahore High Court had previously stayed the Election Commission’s notification on February 8, which aimed to conduct training through the Election Bureau.
The court, responding to petitions against conducting training through the Election Executive, recommended the formation of a larger bench. Justice Ali Baqir Najfi instructed the file to be sent to the Chief Justice for further action.
Additionally, the Election Commission had imposed restrictions on the transfer postings of Deputy Commissioners and Additional Deputy Commissioners nationwide the previous day. This move comes amidst ongoing legal proceedings challenging various decisions and actions taken by the Election Commission.
The recent developments indicate a complex legal environment surrounding the preparations for upcoming elections. The judiciary’s involvement in scrutinizing election-related procedures raises questions about the autonomy of the Election Commission and the need for transparent and constitutionally sound electoral processes.
The challenges and legal intricacies associated with the training suspension and transfer restrictions highlight the importance of addressing legal concerns promptly to ensure the smooth conduct of elections. As the legal proceedings unfold, the electoral landscape in Pakistan remains subject to judicial oversight, emphasizing the delicate balance between the different branches of government in upholding democratic principles
