ISLAMABAD: President Dr. Arif Alvi on Friday summoned Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja to an emergency meeting on February 20 (Monday) regarding the announcement of the date of the new general elections.
According to an official statement issued by the Office of the President, the meeting will focus on consultations on the terms of Section 57(1) of the Elections Act, 2017, which states that the President “must fix the dates or dates of general elections.” will announce after consultation with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
In his letter to the CEC, the President expressed displeasure at the apparent “indifference” and inaction of the ECP on the matter, adding that his February 8 letter had received no response.
صدر مملکت ڈاکٹر عارف علوی کا چیف الیکشن کمشنر کو خط
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) February 17, 2023
صدر مملکت کی چیف الیکشن کمشنر کو انتخابات سے متعلق ہنگامی اجلاس کی دعوت
صدر مملکت کی سکندر سلطان راجہ کو 20 فروری 2023 کو ایوان صدر میں سیکشن 57 ایک کے تحت الیکشنز کے حوالے سے مشاورت کے لیے دعوت
Since his letter, the statement added, there have been some significant developments – including the decision of the Lahore High Court (LHC) to ensure that elections in Punjab are held within 90 days and the Supreme Court In the recent observations of SC, it has been directed to implement the orders of Lahore High Court.
The statement added that the President had “anxiously waited” for the commission to realize its constitutional duties and act accordingly, but was deeply disappointed by the partisan attitude of the ECP on this important issue.
In his letter, the President once again reminded the ECP that he is “aware of his constitutional responsibility to protect, preserve and defend the Constitution” and thus, the CE for consultation in his office on February 20, 2023. C was being invited to an emergency meeting. on the date or dates of the general election.
It may be noted that on February 8, President Alvi had written to the ECP, urging him to ensure that both the provincial and national general elections are held within the constitutionally stipulated time.
President to ECP: Immediately announce date of elections as Constitution doesn’t allow any delay.
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) February 8, 2023
The Letter 👇
https://t.co/o9PhBizBC5 pic.twitter.com/mTYkPVnduL
The presidential office said at the time that “recent world history shows that delay threatens democracy.”
