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

The ECP, through its counsel Sajeel Sheryar Swati, submitted a concise statement in the presidential reference case in the Supreme Court, which is being heard by a five-judge larger bench led by Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed.

“Senate elections have always been held through secret ballot after the enactment of the constitution in vogue,” said the ECP in a reply to the Supreme Court on Saturday.

The ECP said that the Senate elections, much like the elections for the prime minister and the president, fall under the Constitution.

"To bring about an end to secret balloting, a constitutional amendment will be required," said the election commission.

Senate polls are defined in Articles 59, 219 and 224 of the Constitution. Furthermore, as per Article 226, all elections under the Constitution, other than those of prime minister and chief minister, shall be held by secret ballot, the ECP said in its reply. “The Constitution does not allow open ballot elections for the Senate.”