President Arif Alvi and the Law Minister recently held a meeting at Aiwan-i-Sadr in Islamabad to discuss the upcoming general elections. This meeting is part of an ongoing consultation process between the president and the interim government regarding the electoral process.
In a statement, President Alvi emphasized the importance of continuing the consultation process with good intent for the betterment of democracy in the country.
However, the Law Minister reiterated that it is the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) that has the authority to announce the date for the general elections.
Sources also indicate that the minister referenced the amendment in the Election Act, stating that if the president announces a date, the Election Commission can reject it.
In a previous meeting, President Alvi stressed the need to hold elections within 90 days after the dissolution of the National Assembly.
The President commended Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar’s statement, affirming that the interim government would abide by the Supreme Court of Pakistan’s judgment on this matter.
These discussions come amidst a standoff between President Alvi and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) regarding who holds the authority to decide the final date for general elections in Pakistan.
In response to President Alvi’s letter seeking opinion on the ECP’s stance, the Law Ministry expressed that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has the right to announce the election date.
Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja responded to President Alvi’s letter, stating that participating in a meeting to “fix an appropriate date” for the general elections would be of “scant importance” after recent changes to the election law.
President Alvi had quoted Article 244 of the Constitution in his letter, stating his duty to conduct the elections within the prescribed 90-day period once the National Assembly is dissolved prematurely.
In response, CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja stated that the power to appoint a date for elections rests with the Election Commission if the assembly is dissolved on the advice of the prime minister or by afflux of time.
CEC Raja also highlighted the importance of delimitation of constituencies after the approval of the digital census as a foundational step towards holding polls.
The ECP is taking its responsibility of conducting general elections very seriously and has also invited major political parties to provide their views on the electoral map.
Earlier reports indicated that the ECP has set the second week of February 2024 as the tentative date for general elections.