The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) has expressed concerns about the provinces’ reluctance to conduct general elections, as reported by ARY News.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) released an official statement following separate consultative meetings with Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) and Pakistan Muslim League Quaid (PML-Q).
During the meeting, the TLP spokesperson alleged that the government had increased the number of Union Councils (UCs) in Islamabad Local Government polls from 50 to 125 to avoid holding the elections. The TLP also demanded that the ECP hold elections within 90 days and, if the delimitation process cannot be completed within that timeframe, increase the number of staff.
The CEC emphasized that the ECP is obligated to hold LG polls in accordance with provincial LG laws. The ECP also stated that it will closely monitor the funding and expenses of election campaigns.
In another consultative meeting, the PML-Q endorsed the ECP’s decision to hold general elections based on the 2023 census. The ECP further stated that the election schedule will be announced shortly after the completion of the delimitation process, and the upcoming elections will be conducted in accordance with the constitution.
It is important to note that the ECP has set the second week of February 2024 for the general elections. Sources within the ECP informed ARY News that the election commission is likely to release the election schedule after December 2023. The schedule will be issued 54 days after the delimitation process is completed, according to ECP sources.