The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced that the elections in Punjab, scheduled for April 30, have been postponed till October 08 due to Security concerns.
President Arif Alvi declared the schedule for the Punjab elections after discussing with the ECP given the Supreme Court’s divided judgment from last month.
In its statement, the ECP described its extensive efforts to guarantee that the commission performed its duties diligently, stressing its commitment to ensuring fair elections throughout the country.
Following the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) surprise decision on Wednesday to postpone the Punjab elections from April 30 to October 8, all eyes are on Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial.
CJP Bandial had invoked suo motu power to hold general elections of both provincial assemblies within 90 days. If the polls were delayed, the Supreme Court would intervene.
Read: ECP announces elections schedule for Punjab
The ECP’s surprising announcement may have put the ball back in the SC’s court, sparking speculation over whether the ideologically divided court would order the ECP and executive authorities to organize two provincial assembly elections quickly.
According to the Notification, the commission has addressed letters to the interior and defense ministries requesting the “deployment of Pakistan Army/Rangers and Frontier Corps at all polling stations” to organize and conduct the election lawfully and peacefully. As a result, polling booths were set up to hold the general election for the Provincial Assembly of Punjab.
Given the province’s increased security and the current terrorist wave that has swept the nation, this was done, it was added.
Nonetheless, at a meeting, the Punjab Chief Secretary and Inspector General (IG) briefed the stakeholders on the grave law and order situation, citing many provincial and national occurrences.
According to the announcement, there is a lack of around 386,623 security personnel for election duty, which can only be filled by stationing army soldiers and Rangers in static mode.
Read: Governor KP Ghulam Ali announces May 28 for KP elections
The Ministry of the Interior notified the commission in writing that the electoral commission’s proposal for deploying civil and armed forces was not practicable.
The military is stationed at the borders and is responsible for internal security, among other responsibilities; the ministry also linked this to an upsurge in terrorist acts around the country. It was also mentioned that the intelligence services and the National Counterterrorism Center had issued threat alerts. (Nacta).
The ECP stated: “Therefore, in their view, the conduct of general elections in the province of Punjab Assembly is not feasible on already announced date,”
The special interior secretary had stated that “free, fair, and peaceful elections are not possible due to deteriorating law and order, a charged political climate, and grave threats against political leaders,” according to the electoral authority, which claimed it had contacted the interior and finance ministries on March 09 to request a meeting.
This, he argued, would enhance the risk of terrorism for both the general people and government officials.
The finance secretary attributed the scarcity of cash for the elections to a lack of resources and the current financial crisis.
In addition, the Notification indicated that the federal government, and numerous senior-level officials of security institutions, including the police and the minister of defense, had proposed delaying the elections.
Therefore, in the exercise of powers conferred upon it … the commission hereby withdraws the election program issued vide Notification No. F. 2(3)/2023/Cord dated 8th March 2023 and fresh schedule will be issued in due course of time with the poll date on October 08, 2023.
The final sentence of the Notification stated, “The office is directed to take appropriate follow-up action and notify the Pakistani president.”
 announced that the elections in Punjab, scheduled for April 30, have been postponed till October 08 due to Security concerns.){kind=link}