Abb Takk News

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Saturday has opposed the presidential reference seeking opinion of the Supreme Court about holding Senate elections with open ballot.

In its reply submitted with the Supreme Court of Pakistan, the ECP has rejected the possibility of holding Senate polls through the open ballot and said that the Senate elections would be held as per the constitution of 1973.

Senate polls are defined in article 59, 219 and 224 of the constitution, the ECP reply read. Furthermore as per article 226 all elections under the Constitution, other than those of the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister, shall be by secret ballot.

“Pakistan’s Constitution of 1973 does not allow open ballot elections for Senate.”

The ECP in its reply has also given reference of the Indian constitution in its reply submitted in the Supreme Court.