The Election Commission of Pakistan has announced the election schedule for the General election in Punjab.
The election commission announced that “Polling for the election of Punjab provincial assembly will be held on 30th April 2023.”
Also Read: By-Elections Suo Motu: Supreme Court orders to hold Punjab & KP Polls in 90 Days
According to the election schedule, candidates could submit their nomination papers from the 12th to the 14th of March, while scrutiny of the papers will be held on 22 March.
The candidates could withdraw their nomination papers up to the 5th of April and election symbols to candidates will be allotted on the 6th of April, the ECP announced.
Remember that, President Dr. Arif Alvi announced 30th April as the date for elections in Punjab. The move comes after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) proposed dates for the election in the province as directed by the Supreme Court (SC).
“President Dr. Arif Alvi has announced the date of 30th April 2023 (Sunday) for holding the general elections of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab,” tweeted the President’s office.
ECP proposed dates for the election in Punjab after the Supreme Court directs ECP to issue the Election dates for Punjab and KPK Assembly.
Remember that Punjab and KP assemblies were dissolved on 14th January and 18th January respectively, and under the law, the elections were to be held within 90 days after their dissolution.
However, after the governors’ refusal to fix a date for polls, after which the Supreme Court took the Suo motu of matter and directed the president to announce the election date in consultation with the Election commission.
It also ordered the KP governor to give an election date.
Supreme Court Suo Motu
The Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan in its verdict ordered the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to hold elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa within 90 days.
The supreme court verdict stated that the Election Commission of Pakistan failed in discharging its role in the election. The announcement of the election date in KP is the responsibility of the provincial governor, while the president has the authority as per law and constitution to fix the election date in Punjab.
The verdict said the announcement of the election in KP by the president was ‘not right’, while he enjoys the right to announce the election date in Punjab, as the provincial assembly was dissolved after 48 hours as the government refused to agree on CM’s advise.
The verdict further stated a consultation to fix the date of elections in Punjab, if they are not possible on 9th April, the date announced by the president. “Article 254 of the constitution will be enforced if the elections are not held within the stipulated time,” the verdict said.
