The Sindh Bar Council (SBC) has formally requested the District and Sessions Judge, Hyderabad, to suspend all court work on 20 August 2024 to allow the smooth conduct of elections for office-bearers and members of the Hyderabad Bar Association.

In a letter sent on 12 August 2024, SBC Secretary Pervez Memon asked the judge to ensure that no judicial proceedings clash with the bar polls scheduled for the same day. The request highlights the need for uninterrupted polling at polling stations set up inside court premises, including the Hyderabad District Courts complex.

  • Poll date: 20 August 2024
  • Location: Hyderabad District Courts complex
  • Requesting body: Sindh Bar Council (SBC)
  • Recipient: District and Sessions Judge, Hyderabad
  • Purpose: Suspend court work to facilitate bar elections

Why the suspension is needed

Bar elections in Pakistan are traditionally held inside court buildings to ensure security, oversight, and adherence to legal procedures. The Hyderabad Bar Association’s polling booths will operate within the Hyderabad District Courts premises, making it essential for courtrooms to remain closed during voting hours.

According to the SBC’s letter, the suspension is not a routine holiday but a necessary administrative measure to prevent disruptions. The elections will elect the president, vice-president, general secretary, joint secretary, treasurer, and 15 executive committee members of the Hyderabad Bar Association for the 2024–2026 term.

What the judiciary must do

The District and Sessions Judge, Hyderabad, is expected to issue a formal order suspending court work on 20 August 2024 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, covering both morning and afternoon sessions. This will allow lawyers, who are also voters in these polls, to participate without missing court deadlines or hearings.

Legal experts say such suspensions are common during bar elections across Pakistan, but they require timely coordination between the bar council and the judiciary. Failure to suspend proceedings could lead to low voter turnout or procedural delays, as lawyers may be tied up in courtrooms.

Past incidents and lessons

In 2022, bar elections in Karachi were marred by allegations of irregularities after some polling booths inside court premises remained open during voting hours. The Sindh High Court had to intervene to ensure transparency. Hyderabad’s bar leadership has assured that this year’s elections will be free, fair, and transparent, with presiding officers and polling agents already appointed.

The SBC has also directed the Hyderabad Bar Association to ensure that all polling staff—including returning officers, polling officers, and security personnel—are in place by 19 August 2024 to complete pre-poll preparations.

What happens next?

  • 19 August 2024: Final preparations by polling staff
  • 20 August 2024: Bar elections (9:00 AM–5:00 PM)
  • 21 August 2024: Counting and result declaration
  • 22 August 2024: Installation of new office-bearers

Lawyers eligible to vote must bring their Pakistan Bar Council membership cards and CNIC to polling stations. The SBC has warned that proxy voting or impersonation will not be tolerated and could lead to disqualification.

What you should do

  • If you’re a lawyer in Hyderabad: Check your polling station location inside the Hyderabad District Courts complex on the SBC’s official website or the Hyderabad Bar Association’s notice board.
  • If you’re a litigant: Avoid scheduling urgent hearings on 20 August 2024 to allow smooth polling.
  • If you’re a journalist: Contact the SBC Public Relations Officer at pr@sindhbarcouncil.gov.pk for updates or accreditation.

What to watch next

  • Will the District and Sessions Judge, Hyderabad, issue the suspension order in time?
  • Will the elections proceed without any legal challenges or complaints?
  • Will the new office-bearers take charge by 22 August 2024 as scheduled?

The SBC has assured that election observers from the Pakistan Bar Council will monitor the process to ensure compliance with electoral rules. Any violations can be reported to the SBC Election Commission via email at election@sindhbarcouncil.gov.pk.

For official updates, visit the Sindh Bar Council website: www.sindhbarcouncil.gov.pk