Alvi invites Chief ECP for a ‘discussion’ on election dates

ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi has written a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan, Sikander Sultan Raja, inviting him for a consultation to decide the date for the General Elections within 90 days, as mandated by the constitution.

“And Whereas by virtue of Article 48 (5) of the Constitution of in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the President is obliged to appoint a date not later than ninety days from the date of dissolution for the holding of the General Election of Assembly,’ the letter reads.

Clause 5 of Article 48 for ready reference is as follows: 

(5) Where the President dissolves the National Assembly, notwithstanding anything contained in clause (1), he shall,-
(a) appoint a date, not later than ninety days from the date of the dissolution, for the holding of a general election to the Assembly; and
(b) appoint a caretaker Cabinet in accordance with the provisions of Article 224 or, as the case may be, Article 224A”

“Foregoing in view, the Chief Election Commissioner is invited for a meeting with the President today or tomorrow to fix an appropriate date,” it added.

صدر مملکت ڈاکٹر عارف علوی کا چیف الیکشن کمشنر، سکندر سلطان راجہ، کو خط

صدر مملکت نے جنرل الیکشن کی تاریخ کا فیصلہ کرنے کیلئے چیف الیکشن کمشنر کو آج یا کل مُلاقات کی دعوت دے دی

صدر مملکت نے 09.08.2023 کو وزیر اعظم کے مشورے پر قومی اسمبلی کو تحلیل کیا، صدر کے خط کا متن pic.twitter.com/JpRXqcnHsw

— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) August 23, 2023

Meanwhile, the ECP too has invited leaders of all political parties to discuss new general elections.

Read: Shehbaz calls for official inquiry into President Arif Alvi’s conduct

Read more: Elections to be held after completion of delimitation process: Sanjrani

Earlier, Chairman Senate, Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani on Saturday affirmed that the next general elections would be conducted ‘on time’ immediately ‘after the completion of the delimitation process’ on the basis of new census.