Announcement ends uncertainty surrounding general elections.
ECP orders chief secretaries to start preparation for general elections,
Islamabad_The Election Commission of Pakistan has announced that the next general elections will be held in the last week of January 2024 with delimitations being completed by end of November. However, the ECP stopped short of giving an actual date for the polls.
The ECP made the announcement in a notification on Thursday.
The notification said that the ECP had reviewed progress on fresh delimitations on Thursday and said that the initial lists should be prepared by September 27 followed by a final list on November 30 when all objections are cleared.
Following the completion of delimitations, a 54-day election schedule will be announced by the ECP that will place general elections in the last week of January 2024.
The date of elections in Pakistan has been the subject of much speculation since it became clear that the need for fresh delimitations would not allow polls within the constitutionally mandated 90-day limit.
The National Assembly was dissolved on August 9 by President Arif Alvi on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Dissolution before the assembly completed its tenure on August 12 meant that elections would have to be held in 90 days instead of 60 days.
However, the announcement of the date was still a hotly contested topic owing to amendments in the Election Act by the outgoing government.
While the ECp maintained that the right to announce the date was its exclusive right, President Alvi said he was bound by the constitution to provide a date for the polls.
Key political parties including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), and others also urged the Election Commission to hold polls at the earliest to end prevailing uncertainty in the country.
The United States and the United Kingdom have also called for free, fair and timely elections in the country.
Last month, US Ambassador Donald Blome also met CEC Sikander Sultan Raja to reaffirm his country’s support for “free and fair elections”, reiterating that choosing Pakistan’s future leaders is for the Pakistani people to decide.
The development came days after President Arif Alvi suggested a cut-off date for the holding of polls in a letter to CEC Raja.
The president had said that in the light of Article 48(5) of the Constitution, he has the authority and mandate “to appoint a date not later than 90 days from the date of dissolution [of assemblies], for holding of a general election to the assembly.”
[…] in terms of Article 48(5) the general election to the National Assembly should be held by the eighty-ninth day of the date of dissolution of the National Assembly, i.e. Monday 6th Day of November 2023,” the letter stated.
However, the ECP had maintained that the president was no longer empowered to fix the date for polls after amendments in election laws.
While,
In a crucial move, the Election Commission of Pakistan has issued a comprehensive mandate, signalling the initiation of preparations for the forthcoming elections.
The directive, conveyed via official letters to the four provincial chief secretaries and the chief commissioner of Islamabad, underscores the pivotal role of administrative officers and local authorities in ensuring the integrity and smooth execution of the electoral process.
The directives came hours after the ECP cleared the air about holding the next general elections in the country and said the general elections will be held in the last week of January 2024.
Underlining the constitutional obligation, the Election Commission has asserted that all administrative officers are legally bound to extend their unwavering support and cooperation to the electoral body. This directive comes as the nation braces itself for the next chapter in its democratic journey.
The Election Commission’s missive has called upon the provincial chief secretaries to collaborate closely with the electoral authority in every aspect of election preparedness. This collaborative effort is expected to encompass logistical arrangements, security, and administrative support essential for the successful conduct of the elections.
Simultaneously, all district deputy commissioners across the country have been instructed to establish direct lines of communication with their respective district election commissions. This communication channel aims to facilitate the seamless coordination of election-related activities at the district level, ensuring that nothing is left to chance.
In a bid to fortify the electoral infrastructure, the Election Commission has mandated the provision of administrative and logistical support across the nation. This directive aims to guarantee that no region is left underprepared for the forthcoming elections.
Crucially, the Election Commission has emphasized the necessity of safe and secure storage facilities for both sensitive and non-sensitive election materials. The security of these materials is paramount to maintaining the transparency and credibility of the electoral process.
Furthermore, the electoral body has issued a stern directive to ensure the security of tablets supplied to Returning Officers, which play a pivotal role in the election process. This heightened focus on data security reflects the Election Commission’s commitment to upholding the integrity of the electoral proceedings.
In a final note, the Election Commission has underscored the importance of providing top-tier security at all locations housing election materials. This proactive approach to security is aimed at thwarting any potential tampering or unauthorized access, thereby ensuring the sanctity of the electoral process.
