ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is likely to decide on the time frame for delimitation of constituencies today after officially approving the country’s first digital census.
In a session on Monday, the ECP directed its legal team to provide guidance on the future course of action in accordance with the law and the Constitution, with decisions expected today, JEE News reported.
On the advice of its legal advisers, the electoral body will examine the feasibility of accelerating the timetable to hold elections within 90 days after the dissolution of the National Assembly on August 9.
According to the Elections Act, 2017, the ECP must carry out the delimitation process within 90 days, followed by an additional month to redress any relevant grievances.
Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja presided over the meeting held at the ECP headquarters in which four members of the commission besides its secretary, special secretary and legal team attended to review the current situation and consider the strategy. can be done Navigate the way forward with reference to updated census data.
In another development, the ECP asked its scrutiny committee to submit reports on foreign funding of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in the next 10 days. be taken as a report. Last deadline.
Furthermore, the Commission directed the Law Wing to approach the relevant courts for prompt hearing and adjudication of all private complaints filed by the Commission, which are pending in various courts to ensure timely adjudication and implementation of the complaints. can be made
The ECP held its first meeting after approving the digital census and a day later, PPP Senator Mian Raza Rabbani asked the commission in the Senate to remain silent on the delimitation issue amid speculation of a delay in elections. break
Separately, the ECP has strongly denied all reports circulating in the media that the PTI chairman has been removed from the party post, its media coordination and outreach wing said.
A meeting of ECP was also held to decide the date of local body elections in Islamabad. The meeting was presided over by Member Sindh Nisar Ahmed Durrani.
The meeting was attended by ECP members, secretary, special secretary and other senior officers.
The secretary of the commission told the participants that a meeting has been called on Tuesday (today) for the date of polling and local body elections in the federal capital Islamabad.
The Election Commission has completed all the preparations. But the commission needs notification about the number of seats reserved and section 17 of the Local Government Act needs to be amended.
In his briefing, the Home Secretary said that the limit of election expenditure of the candidates has been fixed and a summary has been prepared for the notification of the number of reserved seats. Therefore, necessary legislation was enacted.
He said that it is the power of Parliament to enact legislation, so as soon as the legislation is enacted, necessary amendments will be provided to the Election Commission.
Expressing strong displeasure at this stand, the ECP ordered that the approval of the allotment of certain seats be taken immediately and the amendments required in Section 17 should also be completed immediately so that the electoral authority fulfills its constitutional and legal responsibilities. can handle
The Commission said that the Home Ministry should clarify its position in writing today (Tuesday). In this regard, it was decided to call the meeting of the commission again next week.
