No, sorry! Elections won't be delayed, ECP replies to Senate resolution
Pakistan
Says caretaker govts to ensure law and order; Recalls polls held during winter in the past too
ISLAMABAD (Web Desk/Dunya News) – The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday rejected the demand made through a resolution passed by the Senate to postpone the general elections scheduled for next month on February 8.
Expressing its inability to follow the Senate resolution passed by a small number of members in the presence of just 14, the ECP sent a reply to the Upper House of Parliament’s secretariat, saying all the necessary arrangements had been made to conduct the democratic exercise on February 8.
Read more: ECP approves printing of ballot papers for general elections
The ECP recalled in its letter that the election date was fixed after consulting President Arif Alvi and also addressed the two reasons cited in the resolution – poor law and order as well as weather conditions – for postponing the much-awaited elections.
As far as the law and order is concerned, the ECP says the caretaker federal and provincial governments have been directed for “beefing up security matrix and provide congenial environment to the electorate” for peaceful and credible conduct of the February 8 elections.
ECP is committed to hold elections on Thursday, February 8 and so are the federal and provincial governments. Period. pic.twitter.com/bW0s8FDBhm
— Murtaza Solangi (@murtazasolangi) January 15, 2024
Meanwhile, the ECP, which is separate constitutional body to supervise the election affairs, also mentioned that both general and local government elections had been held during winter season in the past.
The controversy had erupted on January 6 when the Senate adopted a resolution to postpone Feb 8 elections, tabled by Senator Dilawar Khan, for postponing the elections with a majority vote when just 14 members present in the House.
However, Senator Mushtaq of JI submitted a resolution to counter the earlier one, saying holding polls according to the schedule announced by the ECP was a constitutional obligation.
Read more: JI's Mushtaq nullifying Dilawar's 'unconstitutional' election delay bid
Calling for the cancelling the resolution moved by Dilawar, Mushtaq said the demand while using weather and law and order situation as excuses was undemocratic and unconstitutional.
The Senate has no authority to go for an unconstitutional act, reads the resolution and adds that the elections must be held on time as per the directions issued by the Supreme Court while providing a level-playing field to all the parties participating in the exercise.
However, those trying to deprive the people of their right to vote aren’t stopping from pressing their demand, as another resolution this time by Senator Hilalur Rehman was moved Sunday, citing the same reasons.
DILAWAR DOUBLES DOWN
Dilawar has now written a letter to Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani, which says the ECP hasn’t taken any steps to implement the demand expressed through his resolution.
He said free and fair polls were not possible without addressing the issues raised in the Jan 6 resolution, asking Sanjrani to check the status and ensure a delay in polls so that “the people could participate in election activities”.
