President Arif Alvi in a letter to ECP chief has urged the Election Commission to ‘immediately announce’ a date for elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab to put an end to the ‘dangerous speculative propaganda’.
In Arif Alvi’s letter to ECP chief Sikandar Sultan Raja on Wednesday, Alvi stressed that polls are to be held within 90 days of dissolution of an assembly, as provide under Article 224(2) of the Constitution.
The conduct and holding of elections, he maintained, is the primary and essential duty of the authority.
“Thus, it is ultimately the Commission, which if it fails to discharge its functions and duties, is to be held responsible and answerable for the violation of our Constitution.”
Alvi Alvi letter to ECP chief further adds that he was under the oath “to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution” as the head of the state.
“I am of the firm view that there are no such circumstances as may furnish any justification for delaying or postponing of elections.”
Concluding, he said, “It will thus be in the fitness of things and in accordance with Constitution and law i.e. Elections Act, 2017, to immediately announce the date of polls by issuing election schedule and put an end to such dangerous speculative propaganda for these and future general elections.”
“Pakistan can’t afford two, separate elections as billions of rupees will be spent on the exercise,” Punjab governor Baligh-ur-Rehman told reporters on Monday. On the same day, PTI chief Imran Khan warned that the “jail bharo tehreek will come into action if elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa aren’t held within 90 days of dissolving the assemblies.”
It was reported a day earlier that the elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will likely be held in Oct-Nov alongside National Assembly polls, as per an agreement between the coalition partners.
Coalition partners are unanimous on holding general elections in the national and provincial assemblies together, probably in Oct-Nov this year, Dawn said quoting a ‘reliable source in the federal government’.
It referred to a key meeting between Punjab and KP governors, also attended by caretaker Punjab CM, wherein the participants agreed to hold elections together, given the ‘current circumstances’.
The federal government will be completing its term in August this year, and that’s when, they said, the polls should be held.
“Pakistan can’t afford two, separate elections as billions of rupees will be spent on the exercise,” Punjab governor Baligh-ur-Rehman told reporters in Lahore on Monday.
On the same day, PTI chairman Imran Khan warned that the “jail bharo tehreek will come into action if elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa aren’t held within 90 days of dissolving the assemblies.”
President to ECP: Immediately announce date of elections as Constitution doesn’t allow any delay.
The Letter 👇
https://t.co/o9PhBizBC5 pic.twitter.com/mTYkPVnduL— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) February 8, 2023
He has been a dentist but probably his wisdom teeth never erupted. In a parliamentary system President is non-partisan and should not speak for his party but ought to have the national interest at heart. Is it economically sensible to just have elections just to benefit a party in opposition who derails institutions to continue its populist agenda.
Any rational person would say get a census done and hold a free and fair election when natural terms of parliaments end. If you get mandate yes anyone ought to rule. But not by dragging the whole nation around your whims.
PTI regime came on Bajwa’s whims and President was also appointed as part of the project. Just bide your time Dr Alvi as you don’t have a true mandate.