The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has provided assurance that it will work on delimiting constituencies and updating the electoral rolls at the same time, with the aim of completing the processes as quickly as possible. This rekindles hopes for elections to be held in February next year.
A delegation from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) met with the ECP to discuss the roadmap for the upcoming polls. While it would still technically be a violation of the Constitution to delay the elections beyond 90 days after the dissolution of assemblies, this assurance eases concerns that the elections could be postponed for several months due to the synchronisation of the electoral rolls.
If implemented, this decision would ensure that the electoral college is ready for the Senate before half of its members’ terms expire in March.
In a statement, an ECP spokesman dismissed speculations that the process to update electoral rolls would only begin after the delimitation process is completed in December.
The PML-N has urged the ECP to complete the delimitation and updating of electoral rolls before December 14. The Chief Election Commissioner, Sikandar Sultan Raja, assured the PML-N delegation that both tasks would be completed simultaneously and that polls would be conducted as soon as possible.
PML-N leaders Ahsan Iqbal, Azam Nazeer Tarar, and Zahid Hamid, who spoke to reporters after the meeting, indicated that general elections could be held in February. They noted that the poll schedule typically takes 54 days from issuance to voting day. By counting 54 days after December 14, one PML-N leader suggested that the election date can be estimated.
The PML-N representatives informed the ECP officials that the census results had been unanimously approved by the Council of Common Interests (CCI) and all political parties had agreed to hold the 2023 elections based on the new census. They acknowledged that the ECP’s delimitation schedule aligned with the Constitution and the law.
They also proposed various measures to reduce electoral expenses, including strict prohibition of hate speeches, allowing only posters and stickers, and having the media campaign carried out by the party rather than by individual candidates.
The delegation suggested that ECP officers should be appointed as district returning officers and returning officers to ensure impartiality and better performance of their duties. The CEC assured them that the ECP would consult all political parties on the code of conduct before finalizing it.
CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja also assured the PML-N members that the elections would be transparent and fair, with equal opportunities for all parties. He stated that legal action would be taken against any violations of the code of conduct.
PML-N Secretary General Ahsan Iqbal mentioned that suggestions were made to control election expenses and ensure transparency in the electoral processes. He stated that the ECP had agreed to consider these proposals.
He also highlighted the need for transparency in the upcoming polls, referring to the RTS fiasco that marred the 2018 elections. The commission assured the delegation that an automated system was being developed to monitor and compile election results, ensuring transparency and credibility.
The PML-N representatives also urged the ECP to develop an effective strategy for the registration and participation of women voters in the electoral process.