Election announcement evokes mixed reactions from politicians

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced on Thursday that the general election will be held in the final week of January 2024, without disclosing a specific date for the polls, sparking mixed reactions from politicians.

The ECP’s announcement extends the election period by over two months beyond the November 6 cut-off date proposed by President Arif Alvi.

The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), the main opposition party, said that the ECP failed to announce a definitive date and demanded clarity from the election watchdog.

“The election commission has not provided a definitive date yet,” PPP leader Shazia Marri said. “There is uncertainty surrounding the election date,” PPP leader Qamar Zaman Kaira added. He stressed that a level playing field and a clear and transparent election process were essential.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), another opposition party, also sought clarity on final election date. PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal said, “Once the process of constituency delimitation is completed, the ECP should announce the final election date. We need to put an end to this uncertainty.”

General election to be held in last week of January 2024

He said that the purpose of party leaders’ departure to London was to finalise former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s return plan. “There is no fissure within the PML-N. The party is enthusiastic about Nawaz Sharif’s return. All parties should prepare for the elections,” he said.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, however, questioned the ECP’s authority to announce the election date. PTI leader Ali Zafar said, “The election commission’s election date is beyond the constitutional date. The constitution mandates that elections should be held within 90 days of the assemblies’ dissolution. Announcing the election date is the president’s prerogative.”

Caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi defended the ECP’s decision and said that elections were proceeding as per the constitution. He said that the ECP would complete all proceedings by November 30 and publish the final list of constituencies after hearing objections and suggestions regarding constituency delimitation.

The ECP said in an official statement that it had assessed the progress of constituency delimitation and decided to release the initial list for constituency delimitation on September 27. Following a period of consideration of objections and suggestions regarding this process, the final list would be unveiled on November 30. Subsequently, a 54-day election campaign programme would conclude, leading up to the polls in the final week of January.