ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has decided to attend a meeting called by President Arif Alvi to decide the date of the elections, sources said on Saturday.
However, the election body expressed serious reservations over the “wording” used by the President in his letter to summon Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja.
On Friday, President Alvi called an emergency meeting of the Election Commissioner on February 20 regarding the announcement of the date of the new general elections.
Sources say that ECP members and senior officials will attend the meeting called at 11 am in the President’s House.
Meanwhile, the ECP’s response to Alvi’s letter has serious reservations regarding the content of the letter.
According to Section 57(1) of the Elections Act, 2017, the President “shall announce the date or dates of general elections after consultation with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP),” an official statement issued by the Office of the President said.
“The commission asserted that it was an “independent and independent” body, and respected and strictly followed the constitution and the law.
It said that the use of “insensitive” words in reference to the ECP was not appropriate and was disappointed to see such words coming from the President.
The reply added that the ECP is discharging its responsibilities well.
President’s Letter
In the letter, the President said that there have been some important developments, including the decision of the Lahore High Court (LHC) to hold elections in Punjab within 90 days and the recent observations of the Supreme Court (SC). The orders of the Lahore High Court should be implemented.
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 preserve, protect and defend the Constitution” and thus he issued a letter to the CEC in his office on February 20, 2023. were calling for an emergency meeting. For consultations on dates or dates of general elections.
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.
The presidential office said at the time that “recent world history shows that delay threatens democracy.”
It may be mentioned here that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led by Imran Khan dissolved the Punjab and KP Assemblies on January 14 and January 18 respectively.
