Delimitation process to be completed by Nov 30
Elections should be held after proper delimitations: GDA
ISLAMABAD – The Election of Pakistan (ECP) has decided to shorten the timeframe for fresh delimitation of constituencies, announcing the exercise will now be concluded by November 30 this year.
According to a press release issued here Friday, the ECP made this decision after feedback from different political groups as part of its ongoing consultations process on the roadmap for the next general elections.
Chief Election Commissioner Sikander Sultan Raja, who chaired Friday’s meeting, averred that the ECP would ensure transparency of the delimitations exercise.
On Thursday, giving out a timeframe for the completion of fresh delimitations, Chief Election Commissioner Sikander Sultan Raja said the exercise was set to conclude by December 14 this year.
The CEC reaffirmed the commitment of the Election of Pakistan (ECP) to expedite the exercise of delimitation of constituencies. His remarks came during his meetings with delegations of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) and Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP).
The PML-Q delegates, during the meeting, approved of the decision of the ECP, saying that not carrying out the delimitation exercise would be tantamount to a disservice. The TLP delegates demanded a fair election within 90-day period.
The CEC assured the delegates that the schedule for elections would be announced immediately once the fresh delimitations were finalized. He expressed confidence that both the delimitations and elections would be conducted in the light of the constitution and law.
Earlier,
The Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) on Friday expressed unwavering support for the election commission’s fresh delimitation plan, emphasising that a transparent election process hinges on proper delimitation.
A GDA delegation, during their meeting with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday, pressed for the suspension of Sindh Local Governments (LG) and the installation of administrators to ensure transparency in the upcoming general elections.
They also recommended revising the electoral rolls to guarantee accurate and up-to-date voter information.
The GDA delegation emphasised the importance of adhering to the Election Commission’s directives for transferring and appointing provincial officers. They noted that despite the chief election commissioner’s letters to the caretaker chief ministers, the transfers have not been carried out.
They also proposed the appointment of unbiased returning officers, and if feasible, district election commissioners and officers from federal services could assume the role of returning officers.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief election commissioner affirmed that conducting transparent elections within the bounds of the constitution and the law is the foremost duty of the Election Commission.
He recognised the GDA’s recommendations and pledged that the election commission would thoroughly evaluate these proposals and make decisions in full compliance with the constitution and the law.
Furthermore, he provided assurance that the delimitation process would be conducted transparently. The chief election commissioner conveyed to the delegation that the election commission has scheduled a crucial meeting on Friday with various political parties. Considering the consultations and feedback from these parties, the election commission will proceed to announce the election schedule.
This announcement will follow a further reduction in the duration of the delimitation process. Members Election Commission, Secretary ECP and other senior officers also attended the meeting. Ms Fehmida Marza, Dr Safdar Ali Abbasi, Kashif Nazamani, and Ibn Muhammad represented the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA), while Sardar Abdul Rahim and Irfanullah Khan Marwat attended the meeting remotely via video link.
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.