ISLAMABAD: In an important development to hold the Senate elections through open ballot, President Dr. Arif Alvi has on Wednesday signed a presidential reference seeking guidance of the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) over the matter.
The Presidency said in a statement that Dr. Arif Alvi has approved Prime Minister Imran Khan’s recommendation to send a reference to the apex court under Article 186 to conduct the Senate polls by open ballot.
The top court’s guidance has been sought in the presidential reference in order to amend Section 122 (6) of the Election Act, 2017 without amending the constitution.
The federal cabinet had on December 15 approved to seek guidance of the SC over the matter. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) wants to hold the elections by open ballot to stop horse trading.
