LAHORE/ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) – PML-N Senator Irfan Siddiqui on Monday vowed to resist any efforts to delay the February 8 general elections, as he called for no change in the schedule announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) – echoing the viewpoint expressed repeatedly by the senior party leaders.
In a post shared on X, the social media platform previously known as Twitter, Siddiqui said the PML-N’s position on the different resolutions tabled in the Senate was unequivocal and precise.
سینیٹ میں پیش کی جانے والی مختلف قراردادوں پر مسلم لیگ(ن) کا موقف دوٹوک اور واضح ہے۰ ایسی ہر قرارداد کی بھرپور مخالفت کی جائے گی جس کا مقصد کسی بھی بہانے انتخابات کو 8فروری سے آگے لے جانا ہو۰ عوامی مسائل کے حل اور سیاسی استحکام کے لئے بروقت انتخابات ضروری ہیں۰
— Senator Irfan Siddiqui (@IrfanUHSiddiqui) January 15, 2024He promised that the PML-N would oppose every resolution which called for postponing the February 8 elections under any excuse.
Timely elections were necessary for resolving the issues faced by the people and bring political stability in the country, said Siddiqui, a close associate of three-time prime minister Nawaz Sharif who is eyeing the record fourth term in the office.
Nawaz is contesting the polls from two constituencies – one in Mansehra and the other in Lahore – after his acquittal in the NAB references and the Supreme Court’s decision to limit the disqualification period to five years.
The statement comes as another Senate member moved a resolution on Sunday demanding a delay in the general elections while citing cold weather, snowfall and security challenges as the reasons.
But the ECP categorically rejected the demand made through a similar resolution moved by Senator Dilawar with just 14 senators present in the House on January 6. Some of them either didn’t vote or opposed the resolution.
Read more: No, sorry! Elections won't be delayed, ECP replies to Senate resolution
It said both general and local government elections during winter season in the past, adding that the ECP had fixed the date after consulting President Arif Alvi.
VOTE FOR A BRIGHT FUTURE
PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said February 8 wasn’t a day just for exercising the right to vote but also for setting a future goal for the nation, as he called for complete unity to solve the current problems.
8 فروری 2024 کے انتخاب کا دِن محض ووٹ کے جمہوری حق کے استعمال کا دِن نہیں بلکہ یہ قومی نصب العین کی تیاری کا دِن ہے۔یہ پاکستان کے لئے معاشی بحالی ، قوم کے اتحاد، نفرتوں کے خاتمے ، تعلیم، صحت، روزگارکی فراہمی کے لئے ، نوجوانوں کو روشن مستقبل دینے کے لئے ایک بار پھر ہم سب کے مل کر… pic.twitter.com/ZbiQKlICef
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) January 15, 2024Shehbaz, in a post shared through social media, asked the people to unite for providing jobs, cheap power and gas, arresting inflation and ensuring development in the country besides the hate prevailing in the society.