Following the recent letter from President Arif Alvi to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) regarding the timing of upcoming elections, the US State Department has urged Pakistan to ensure that the elections are conducted in a free, fair, and timely manner, in accordance with the law.
During a press briefing, US State Department Spokesperson Mathew Miller expressed the US government’s position on Alvi’s letter. “As we do with countries around the world, we urge Pakistan to hold free, fair, and timely elections, and to respect human rights, fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law,” Miller stated.
The US official also stressed the importance of Pakistani authorities moving forward with the electoral process in accordance with the country’s laws.
President Alvi’s letter to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja is the fourth such letter regarding elections in the country. In his previous letters, the president had suggested dates for elections to the provincial assemblies of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Political experts have criticized the president’s latest move, deeming it unnecessary, as he did not provide a clear date for the polls and merely requested that the elections be held no later than November 6.
Citing Article 48(5) of the Constitution, President Alvi argued that he had the authority to fix a date for the general election to the Assembly within 90 days of the dissolution. In his latest letter, the president stated that the general election to the National Assembly should be held by November 6, 2023.
The president also highlighted the importance of holding elections for the National Assembly and provincial assemblies on the same day to promote unity and harmony among provinces and avoid unnecessary expenses.
While acknowledging that it is the responsibility of the ECP to organize and conduct free and fair elections in line with constitutional and legal requirements, President Alvi advised the ECP to seek guidance from the superior judiciary in regards to announcing a single date for the general election, considering that some matters are already under court review and require consultations with provincial governments and political parties.
In addition to discussing the election issue, the US State Department spokesperson also emphasized the importance of the US-Pakistan relationship, stating that Pakistan is an important partner and that the US values the connection between the two countries, both at the government level and through people-to-people connections.
When asked about the recent border issues between Pakistan and Afghanistan at the Torkham border, Miller encouraged both governments to work together to resolve the issue.
In conclusion, the US government is urging Pakistan to conduct transparent and timely elections, ensuring the respect of human rights, fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law. The US-Pakistan relationship is of significant importance to both countries, and the US encourages collaboration between the governments to address any border issues.