The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP), in its opinion on the presidential reference on open Senate vote has said that Senate elections will be held through a secret ballot.

The majority verdict (4-1) of the apex court, stated that elections of the upper house of the parliament are held under the article 226 of the constitution of Pakistan.

A five-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Gulzar Ahmed and comprising Justice Mushir Alam, Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan and Justice Yahya Afridi announced the verdict over the reference regarding holding of the Senate polls either through “secret ballot” or “open ballot”.

Apex court had reserved the verdict on February 25, 2021.

During earlier proceedings, Attorney-General for Pakistan Khalid Jawed Khan had told apex court that Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) will not be able to hold the elections on schedule if the case is not wrapped up.