‘Not advisable’ to delay polls: ECP

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has written to the Senate Secretariat that it is ‘not advisable’ for it to delay the general elections ‘at this stage’ when all the necessary arrangements are in place.

Dated January 13, the Commission’s letter addressing the joint secretary legislation explained that the passage of the resolution was discussed during a meeting [of the Commission].

The letter pointed out that the election date was decided in consultation with President Arif Alvi, and that the Commission had directed the caretaker federal and provincial governments to ensure the maintenance of law and order.

“Likewise, it would not be out of place to mention here that in the past general elections and local government elections have been held in the winter season,” reads the letter a copy of which is available with The News.

The Commission said it had made all the necessary arrangements for the conduct of general elections and submitted a commitment in this regard to the Supreme Court. The letter concluded that it would not be ‘advisable’ for the Commission to postpone the general elections ‘at this stage’.

Interim Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi shared a copy of the letter on his X handle saying the ECP was ‘committed to holding polls on Feb 8 as well as the federal and provincial governments.

Meanwhile, independent senator from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Dilawar Khan has written a letter to the Senate Chairman Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani noting that no ‘tangible steps’ had been taken by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for delaying the February 8 general elections despite the passage of a resolution by the Upper House of Parliament.

Senator Dilawar claimed that the resolution passed by the Senate on January 5 ‘aptly reflected the collective aspirations of the House. He, however, said despite the Senate’s explicit urging and subsequent dispatch of a copy of the resolution to the ECP, it was disconcerting that no tangible steps had been taken by the ECP to postpone the general elections.

He said the essence of holding free and fair elections appeared compromised without a resolution to the issues raised. “In light of this, I humbly request your intervention as the custodian of the House,” he said as he sought the status of the recommendations outlined in the resolution.

A sparsely-attended sitting of the Senate on January 5 passed the resolution seeking postponement of elections due to security and bad weather as the major reasons. However, the passage of the resolution was subsequently condemned by politicians and lawyers, terming it a ‘conspiracy against democracy’.

Later, Jamaat-e-Islami Senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan also submitted a resolution seeking adherence to the ‘constitutional requirements’ and ensuring the timely conduct of the polls.

Afterwards, lawmakers from the PTI, PPP and Jamaat-e-Islami also filed a requisition motion to summon a House session to discuss the timely conduct of free and fair polls. Two more resolutions moved by two senators from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have also landed in the Senate Secretariat, calling for delaying the polls.

Speaking to reporters outside Adiala Jail, PTI chairman Barrister Gohar has said that a review appeal will be filed against the Supreme Court’s verdict. Admitting that the decision of the Supreme Court is final and will be implemented, he lamented that withholding the bat symbol has negatively impacted democracy. To a question about raid on his house, he said the capital police chief reassured him and also made some arrests.