ECP considering early election schedule announcement

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is anticipated to unveil a schedule for the upcoming general elections well ahead of the finalisation of delimitation of constituencies for the national and provincial assemblies.

According to Dawn, the sources revealed that the decision-making process regarding the matter will not be prolonged, spanning mere days rather than weeks or months.

The reports said that the subject came up in a discussion between the commission and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), as they deliberated the roadmap for the general elections.

As per the media reports, the PPP urged the ECP to adhere to the constitutional stipulation of a 90-day deadline, pressing for a quick declaration of the electoral schedule. In response, the commission pledged to review the request.

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The meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja included the commission’s secretary, members, and senior officers. Whereas, the PPP delegation was represented by Nayyar Hussain Bukhari, Sherry Rehman, Taj Haider, Syed Naveed Qamar, Murad Ali Shah, and Faisal Karim Kundi.

Meanwhile, a participant at the meeting conveyed that the CEC also addressed the pressure exerted by other political parties to initiate the delimitation of constituencies prior to the elections.

However, while implying a potential acceleration of the boundary adjustment process, the CEC assured the PPP that it would be concluded promptly, to be closely followed by the expeditious conduct of elections.

Subsequent to the meeting, PPP leader Nayyar Bukhari emphasised that failing to hold elections within the constitutionally prescribed 90-day window would constitute a violation of the constitution.

Furthermore, Sherry Rehman highlighted the nation’s challenging economic circumstances and expressed the necessity for an elected government to swiftly institute reforms for public relief.

Upcoming Meetings with Political Parties

On the horizon, the ECP is set to engage with delegations from the Awami National Party (ANP) and Balochistan Awami Party (BAP). The ANP will be led by its secretary-general Mian Iftikhar Hussain, who stated that the ANP would communicate its stance on digital census, delimitation of constituencies and other electoral matters.

Hussain asserted that determining election dates and overseeing their execution fall within the constitutional purview of the Election Commission. He emphasised his party’s endorsement of the democratic system and parliamentary supremacy in the country.

Concurrently, significant meetings were convened at the ECP headquarters to evaluate preparations for the upcoming general elections. One session engaged the chief secretary and inspector general of Sindh, while the other involved the chief secretary and police chief of Balochistan.

Chaired by CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja and attended by the commission’s secretary, members, provincial election commissioners, and senior officials, the discussions included various aspects including personnel transfers, appointments of election officials, the security landscape, and the condition of polling station infrastructure in flood-affected areas of the provinces.