The top leadership of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has expressed differing views on the timing of general elections. Former president Asif Ali Zardari believes that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) should conduct fresh delimitation of constituencies before holding elections. On the other hand, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari asserts that elections should be held within 90 days of the dissolution of the National Assembly, as mandated by the constitution.
Zardari’s statement contradicts the PPP’s stance on the elections’ timeframe. The PPP is the only party within the Pakistan Democratic Movement-led erstwhile ruling coalition that insists on not pushing the elections beyond the constitutionally mandated cutoff date of November 9.
The Election Commission of Pakistan has ruled out elections this year, citing the need to wait for the results of the new digital 2023 census and the provision in the Elections Act that requires delimitation of constituencies after every officially published census.
Zardari has emphasized the need for delimitation while urging adherence to the constitution. He expressed confidence in the chief election commissioner and the members of the ECP, stating that the election commission will conduct elections in accordance with the constitution.
Zardari also highlighted the urgency of swiftly executing Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) projects by the caretaker government to jumpstart the nation’s development.
Bilawal, however, reiterates the party’s position on the 90-day limit for elections. He explains that while he is bound to follow Zardari’s directives in family matters, when it comes to political and constitutional matters, he is bound by the decisions of the party workers and the central executive committee (CEC). During the CEC meeting, it was emphasized that elections should be held within the 90-day period as stipulated in the constitution.
Bilawal also emphasizes the need to prioritize solving the current economic crisis over politics. He believes that the country needs a young leadership that can effectively address the challenges and issues it is facing, and he sees the PPP as the party best suited for the task.
When asked about the role of the caretaker government, Bilawal states that if they can reduce power prices, the value of the Pakistani Rupee, and petrol prices, and if they can effectively address the issues facing the people, there would be no objections to their actions. However, he believes that the country’s issues are complex and can only be solved by the elected representatives of the Pakistani public.
Bilawal concludes by stating that the PPP has no objections to the caretakers, as long as they do not assume positions of power beyond their mandate.