ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani on Monday remarked that the Supreme Court would decide the case of delimitation of constituencies in Sindh for the local government polls, in accordance with the Constitution and law.
A three-member bench, headed by the chief justice resumed hearing of the case regarding delimitation of constituencies in the province.
Last month, the Sindh government had filed an appeal in the apex court against Sindh High Court (SHC) verdict that declared as illegal the fresh delimitations before the upcoming local government polls in the province.
Awarding a legal victory to the MQM, the SHC on Dec 30 ruled all amendments made to the local government ordinance unconstitutional, paving way for the polls to be conducted under previous delimitations.
During the course of proceedings, counsel for Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Farogh Naseem appeared before the bench and said that according to constitution a person is entitled to cast only one vote in the municipal elections and delimitation of constituencies were conducted without following the law, terming the Sindh government act illegal.
He said that according to the Constitution, only Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) can change the delimitation of constituencies and article 51 of the Constitution stated that the National Assembly seat should be in proportion to the population.
On this, Justice Azmat Saeed remarked that seats are available but the proportion of the population has not been published.
The MQM lawyer also challenged the matter of delimitation of constituencies through deputy commissioner, adding that there were no guidelines in this regard.
Later, the court adjourned the hearing till February 18.