PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari emphasized on Saturday that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has a responsibility to conduct the delimitation of constituencies based on the census results. He stressed the importance of the electoral watchdog following the Constitution in holding timely elections.
Zardari’s statement follows party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s call for elections to be held within the constitutional timeframe of 90 days during a media interaction in Karachi on Friday.
However, the ECP has ruled out elections this year, citing the notification of results of the new digital 2023 census and Section 17(2) of the Elections Act, which mandates delimitation of constituencies after every officially published census.
In his statement, Zardari expressed confidence in the chief election commissioner and the ECP members, stating that they will conduct elections according to the Constitution. He further highlighted the need for the caretaker government to promptly execute Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) projects to spur development.
Zardari called on political parties to prioritize the economy over politics, emphasizing that the well-being of the country should be the top priority. He urged all parties to work together for national development, as the nation’s progress is intertwined with the prosperity of its people.
The call for timely elections within the 90-day period following the dissolution of the assemblies has also been echoed by the All Pakistan Lawyers Convention organized by the Supreme Court Bar Association and the Pakistan Bar Council.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, in a separate statement, reiterated the importance of holding elections within the constitutional timeframe. He clarified that, in the party’s central executive committee (CEC) meeting, the consensus was to adhere to the 90-day provision mentioned in the Constitution.
However, Bilawal also mentioned that he would respect his father Zardari’s directives on family matters, but decisions regarding political and constitutional matters are bound by the party workers’ and CEC’s decisions.
Bilawal emphasized the need for a young leadership to address the current economic crisis and other challenges faced by the country. He expressed his confidence in the PPP’s ability to tackle these issues and take care of the people’s needs.
Regarding the caretaker government, Bilawal stated that if they can effectively address the issues of power prices, exchange rates, and public grievances, there would be no objections to their actions. However, he opined that the country’s numerous problems cannot be solved quickly, and elected representatives are better suited to find long-term solutions.
In conclusion, the PPP leaders stress the importance of conducting fresh delimitations as per the Constitution and holding timely elections. They urge all parties to prioritize national development and address the pressing economic challenges faced by the country.