The Lahore High Court on Tuesday directed the federal and provincial governments to file their responses within 15 days regarding a petition seeking a strict application of Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution.
The petitioner has asked the court to direct the Election Commission of Pakistan to ensure that Article 62 and Article 63, which outline eligibility criteria and possible reasons for disqualifying a candidate, are strictly applied to local government candidates. The petitioner has also asked the court to direct the federal government to disclose the instructions given returning officers to determine a candidate’s eligibility. He added that instructions should specify that fake-degree holders, loan defaulters, tax evaders and dual nationals would be barred from running.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 29th, 2014.