The President Urges Election Commission to Set Date for General Election
The president of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi, has written a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), pointing out that the National Assembly was dissolved on August 9. He cited Article 48(5) of the Constitution, which empowers the president to appoint a date for the holding of a general election to the Assembly within 90 days of the dissolution. He stated that the general election should be held by Monday, November 6, 2023, the 89th day after the dissolution.
President Alvi Calls for Constitutional Obligations to be Fulfilled
In his letter, President Alvi stated that he had invited the Chief Election Commissioner for a meeting to discuss the modalities of implementing the Constitutional intent and mandate. However, the CEC took a contrary view, stating that the announcement of the election date was the domain of the Election Commission. The president also mentioned that the federal law ministry and all four provincial governments agreed with the CEC’s view. He emphasized that it was the responsibility of the Election Commission to organize and conduct free and fair elections in accordance with the Constitution and the Elections Act, 2017.
President’s Announcement Sparks Concerns of Constitutional Crisis
There have been divided opinions about the date for the general election among stakeholders, raising concerns of another constitutional crisis in the country. The president’s legal team and the Attorney General for Pakistan have informed him that he no longer has the authority to announce election dates. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the party to which President Alvi belongs, has been insisting on the immediate announcement of the election date. However, the caretaker Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Murtaza Solangi, has stated that the Election Commission will announce the date of the elections.
Law Ministers Urge Respect for Election Commission’s Authority
The federal and provincial law ministers have unanimously urged all state organs to respect the autonomy and authority of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in carrying out the delimitation of constituencies and determining the election schedule. This statement was made following a meeting chaired by the caretaker Law and Justice Minister, Ahmad Irfan Aslam. The meeting concluded that the conduct of general elections and the announcement of election dates is the sole competence of the electoral authority, as per the Constitution.
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