The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) will hold its session in order to suggest the last week of April as the date for the General elections in Punjab Assembly.
This is the ECP’s third consecutive day meeting in order to finalize dates for polls in the two provinces Punjab and KPK.
Also Read: By-Elections Suo Motu: Supreme Court orders to hold Punjab & KP Polls in 90 Days
Earlier on Thursday the meeting was chaired by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja at the ECP Secretariat that was also attended by its members as well as the secretary.
The meetings were conducted after the Supreme Court ruling in the case relating to a delay in polls to the provincial assemblies.
According to credible sources, the ECP finalized to suggest poll dates for the Punjab assembly around a week after Eid ul Fitr, which is likely to fall on 22nd April.
“The holy month of Ramadan and the religious festival of Eid are being kept in mind,” the sources said.
The ECP sources also pointed out that some tentative decisions were taken but these would be announced once the consultation was completed. According to reports a letter from ECP to President Dr. Arif Alvi, proposing the date for elections to the Punjab Assembly, is most likely to be dispatched today.
The schedule for the Punjab Assembly polls will be issued soon after the President’s Approval.
President announces Election Date
It is pertinent to mention here that President Dr. Arif Alvi announced April 9 as the date for holding general elections for Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) assemblies. They announced the date under section 57(2) of the constitution.
The moves come after Chief Election Commission decided against attending the meeting called by President Arif Alvi to discuss the dates for holding elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
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.
