The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) has convened a consultative meeting today on the proposal of the date for the general elections by President Dr Arif Alvi. Sources in the ECP said that CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja has not yet decided the time of the meeting. The meeting participants would review the letter written by the president. The legal team will give a legal briefing and expert opinion on the president's proposal. Four members and the relevant wings will also participate in the meeting. After the consultation, the electroral watchdog will respond to the president's proposal regarding the general elections. President Alvi proposes Nov 6 as polls date President Arif Alvi on Wednesday had proposed Nov 6 as date for general elections in the country. In a letter written to Chief Election Commission Sikandar Sultan Raja, the president proposed Nov 6 as date for the general elections in the country.

 “The National Assembly was dissolved by the president on the advice of the prime minister on August 9, 2023. “WHEREAS Article 48(5) of the Constitution empowers and mandates the President "to appoint a date not later than ninety days from the date of the dissolution, for the holding of a general election to the Assembly," reads the president letter to CEC. “WHEREAS 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,” it added.

 In an endeavour to fulfil the constitutional obligations, the president said he had invited the Chief Election Commissioner for a meeting to devise the modalities of implementing the constitutional intent and mandate, adding that the ECP in reply took “a contrary view that as per the scheme of the Constitution and framework of electoral laws, it was the domain of the Election Commission, and following publication of last preceding census on 07.08.2023, duly notified delimitation of constituencies was in progress, a mandatory requirement stipulated by Article 51(5) of the Constitution and section 17 of the Elections Act, 2017.” He said the law ministry is also of similar view as that of the Election Commission of Pakistan. “WHEREAS all four Provincial Governments are of the view that announcement of election date is mandate of the Election Commission of Pakistan. Further, there is a consensus that to strengthen the federation and to promote unity and harmony amongst provinces and to avoid incurring of unnecessary expenses, general elections to the National Assembly and the Provincial Assemblies must be held on same day,” he wrote.

 The president said it is the responsibility of the Election Commission of Pakistan to abide by all the constitutional and legal steps stipulated under Articles 51, 218, 219, 220 and the Elections Act, 2017 for organising and conducting free and fair elections. “THEREFORE, taking into account all the above, the Election Commission of Pakistan in consultation with Provincial Governments and political parties under the relevant provisions of the Constitution and in view that some of these matters are already subjudice, may seek guidance from the Superior Judiciary for announcement of a single date for general election to the National and Provincial Assemblies,” he concluded. Commenting on the development, lawyer Abdul Moiz Jaferii termed the president letter a “damp squib” and “toothless”.

 Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)